Kentucky Cigarette Tax

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear threw his support behind a proposed 70-cent cigarette tax increase this week. Lawmakers said itd be the only way to erase the states projected 900-million dollar deficit. Today, the house appropriations and revenue committee approved a lesser tax hike, 25-cents more per pack. Smokers say even 25 cents more is too much, but health advocates say its not enough. From all outward appearances the Trocadero looks like a gas station. You can fill up your tank and get a slurpy but thats not why people come. This place is a smokers haven. "We were a tobacco store first. Were a tobacco store that provides gasoline to our customers." Right now, Kentucky cigarette taxes are among some of the lowest in the nation. Trocadero co-owner Phil Van Allen says his smoke shop sits right on the border. And he draws Indiana smokers looking to pay less. Van Allen says upcoming bridge construction will hurt business. But a 25-cent cigarette tax hike is extra pain he doesnt need. "Its not just revenue were looking at peoples health." Kentucky Lung Association spokesperson Menisa Marshall says lawmakers are missing the big picture. She says a cigarette tax increase should do more than solve budge problems. It ought to discourage people from smoking. And she thinks 25-cents more a pack wont hurt bad enough. "Theres no reason to set our sights so short & sell the health of so many people here down the river when we have the chance to make a big difference." "Were going to keep fighting it." Van Allen says hes not happy about the tax increase but says hes glad lawmakers didnt approve the proposed full 70 cent hike. "So if Im not here because of tobacco, Im not going to survive on 1 lowly convenient store in middle of highway 41." The 25-cent cigarette tax increase goes before the full house for consideration. If it passes, the additional revenue generated will be used to balance the states budget.