Voters in Three States Consider Tobacco Tax Increases November 2, 2004
News Summary
Voters in Colorado, Montana, and Oklahoma will decide today whether to increase their state cigarette taxes, UPI reported Nov. 1.A proposed amendment to the state constitution in Colorado would increase the cigarette tax from 64 cents to 84 cents. In addition, the measure would raise the tax on other tobacco products to 40 percent of the manufacturer's list price. State tobacco prevention programs in Colorado would get 16 percent of the revenue raised.
In Montana, Initiative 149 would increase the cigarette tax by $1, to $1.70 per pack. In addition, taxes on other tobacco products would increase 50 percent. Most revenue raised would be earmarked to the state's general fund; a portion of the money would also fund new health-related initiatives and veterans' nursing homes.
The Oklahoma referendum would raise the state's cigarette tax by 80 cents to $1.03 per pack, while other tobacco products would also see an increase. Revenues raised from the additional tax would fund state, county, and local government and various health-related programs.
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