New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie has chosen not to act on a bill that would have raised the smoking age in NJ from 19 to 21. This is the second time that the Governor has chosen not to pass a bill passed by the New Jersey legislature that would have stripped away the rights for an adult to make an adult decision. The bill would have fined retailers up to $1,000 if they did […]
For the third time in the last three years, Republican Nebraska State Senator Mike Gloor of Grand Island is seeking a tobacco tax increase that would raise the cigar tax 55%. The Bill, LB1013 would raise the tax on cigars and other tobacco products (OTP) from 20% of the wholesale cost to 31%. The change would raise a cigar that has a MSRP of $10.00 that currently costs $11.00 to $11.55. The money that is […]
In the state of Utah the legal age to purchase tobacco is 19 but that could change as bill has been proposed by Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber, and Sen. Brian Shiozawa, R-Salt Lake City that would raise set the new age at 21. The bill, H.B. 157 would forbid the sale or distribution of cigarettes, tobacco products or e-cigarettes to anyone under 21. As the bill is currently written a first violation would result in a penalty up […]
In 2015, a similar measure to raise the cigar tax in West Virginia failed. However, as we reported back in September the measure was expected to return in 2016. That time has come as Democrat Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has proposed raising the tobacco tax 42%. In his budget that was submitted to the state legislature, Tomblin called for raising the tobacco tax from 7% to 12%. If the legislature approves the budget, a cigar that has […]
Like clockwork each and every January brings the proposal of new taxes and within a lot of those proposals are taxes that could affect the cigar industry. Such is the case in New Mexico where Democrat Senator Howie Morales has proposed to raise the cigar tax a whopping 165% According to Senate Bill 77, the tax on cigars and OTP products would increase from 25% to 66% percent. The legislature is expected to vote on the […]
In West Virginia, Preston County has modified its existing smoking ban. While the old ban only prohibited smoking in restaurants, the county voted 4-1 to change that. Under the plan hotels, motels and bars are include. But the most shocking inclusion of the new ban is the governments intrusion into private clubs which now in some cases need to become smoke free. The measure was first reported by WBOY-12, a local television station.
Earlier this week we reported that the city of Chicago was looking to add a tax to cigars. Today, Mayor Rahm Emanuel took further aim at the tobacco industry at the first City Council meeting of the year. The Democrat Mayor made numerous proposals with the Public Health Commissioner Julie Morita. In addition to the additional taxes, a proposal to raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 was made along with with a minimum pricing policy. No timetable […]
The sale of tobacco in Illinois is illegal unless you have a license from the state. The new law requires all retailers selling any tobacco product to obtain a license from the state. The cost of which is $75.00. According to the state of Illinois, most of the fees collected will be used go after the sale of contraband tobacco. It also gives the state a way to punish those who sell to underage smokers.
The state Assembly of New Jersey passed a bill that would raise the tobacco purchase age from 19 to 21. The bill which passed by a vote of 49-20 is expected the cost the state 16.2 million dollars in taxes. In order to become a law it needs to be signed by Governor Chris Christie who is currently on the campaign trail running for President. Should the Governor sign the bill into law retailers who […]
We have seen states impose cigar taxes, counties impose cigar taxes and now Chicago wants to impose its own cigar tax under a plan from Mayor Rahm Emanuel. According to a published report from the Chicago Sun Times a $6 million dollar proposal for an orientation program for incoming high school students would be paid for by increasing the tobacco tax which would include a 90 cent tax on full-sized cigars. Since taking office in 2011, the […]