Post by pavel on Apr 29, 2016 0:07:28 GMT -6
OKLAHOMA CITY — Tobacco is hardly the most popular industry these days, but even its lobbyists will come out of the shadows to argue against a tax increase.
Lobbyists for tobacco giant Philip Morris have been working the Capitol, telling lawmakers the state should spend $300 million dollars it already raises from tobacco companies and smokers each year toward its ailing health care system, instead of implementing a “massive increase” in taxes.
Oklahoma collected nearly $250 million last year in taxes on smokers, and drew another $87.5 million in its annual payment from tobacco companies, part of a settlement meant to help pay smokers’ health care costs.
Lawmakers are considering a plan to hike the cigarette tax again to $2.53 per pack — a $1.50 increase. A pack of cigarettes in Oklahoma currently costs about $5.71, according to the industry
Read more: www.enidnews.com/news/local_news/big-tobacco-wants-to-snuff-out-cigarette-tax-increase/article_21eba5d7-5620-5391-9276-746088370fd1.html
Lobbyists for tobacco giant Philip Morris have been working the Capitol, telling lawmakers the state should spend $300 million dollars it already raises from tobacco companies and smokers each year toward its ailing health care system, instead of implementing a “massive increase” in taxes.
Oklahoma collected nearly $250 million last year in taxes on smokers, and drew another $87.5 million in its annual payment from tobacco companies, part of a settlement meant to help pay smokers’ health care costs.
Lawmakers are considering a plan to hike the cigarette tax again to $2.53 per pack — a $1.50 increase. A pack of cigarettes in Oklahoma currently costs about $5.71, according to the industry
Read more: www.enidnews.com/news/local_news/big-tobacco-wants-to-snuff-out-cigarette-tax-increase/article_21eba5d7-5620-5391-9276-746088370fd1.html