For information: health-info@ncsl.org
National Conference of State Legislatures
7700 East First Place, Denver CO 80230
Phone: (303) 364-7700 Fax: (303) 364-7800

2005 Tax Alerts!:
See what states increased cigarette taxes in 2004, and what is in store for 2005.

In 2005, a total of 27 states proposed cigarette tax increases. We are glad to report that only seven states increased cigarette taxes this year, an improvement of two states over 2004. MySmokersRights members have an impressive track record and your continued resistance to unacceptable legislation will be important as we move into 2006.

State increases per pack passed in 2005:

Kentucky (from 3 to 30 cents per pack)
Maine ($1.00 to $2.00 per pack)
Minnesota (from 48 cents to $1.23 per pack)
New Hampshire (from 52 to 80 cents per pack)
North Carolina (from 5 to 30 cents per pack on September 1, 2005, and another 5 cents to 35 cents per pack on July 1, 2006)
Ohio (from 55 cents to $1.25 per pack)
Washington (from $1.425 to $2.025 cents per pack)

Though technically not a tax increase, Idaho legislators failed to give smokers a break by voting to make permanent a 29-cent cigarette tax increase scheduled to expire on June 30, 2005. Smokers in Idaho continue to pay 57 cents in state excise taxes on each pack they purchase.

The drama continues to unfold in Minnesota where on August 26, tobacco manufacturers R. J. Reynolds, Lorillard, Phillip Morris and nine tobacco wholesalers filed a motion in Ramsey County District Court claiming that Gov. Tim Pawlenty's 75-cent cigarette fee violates the 1998 multibillion-dollar tobacco settlement. On December 20, District Court Judge Michael Fetsch ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and said the "fee" is illegal and unconstitutional. The next day, Attorney General Mike Hatch's assistants filed a motion with Judge Michael Fetsch to allow the state to continue to collect the 75-cent-per-pack cigarette fee while the state appeals the ruling. A hearing on the motion to continue collecting the tax is scheduled for January 18.