Despite being defeated a few months ago, the state of Pennsylvania a 40% tobacco take is on the table one again as 15 Democrats proposed S.B 13. The new bill would raise a number of taxes including a tax on cigars for the first time.
If passed the tax would be 40% of the wholesale cost raising the price of a $8.00 cigar at retail to $9.60.
This time around the tax has a greater chance of passing due to Republican leaders agreeing to a compromise on public school aid which S.B. 13 says the tax revenue would go to.
The state has been at a budget impasse since June.
