POLL: Should Maine Cigarette Taxes Be Increased?
The Maine Legislature is considering a new increase to the cigarette tax in Maine.
According to the Lewiston Sun Journal, state legislators will consider increasing the cigarette tax from $2.00 per pack, to $3.50 per pack.
Increasing the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack would raise more than $40 million in additional revenue per year, and would also discourage smoking, according to state officials.
Supporters of the increased tax argue that this increase would cut youth smoking by up to 20%, and cut down on cancers and heart issues linked to tobacco addiction.
Opponents say that the tax would be hard on small convenience stores, and lead to people smuggling in cigarettes from other states. Currently, Maine has the second-lowest cigarette tax in New England.
What do you think?