The Maryland House of Representatives has approved a bill that would double the state's cigarette tax to $2 per pack and use the revenues to expand Medicaid eligibility, the Associated Press reported March 16.

The 102-37 vote sends the measure to the state Senate, where opposition is stiffer. Backers say the bill would raise $200 million and provide health insurance to an additional 100,000 residents, but a pair of key Senate leaders object to the tax increase.

Some opponents said that tobacco taxes were an undependable source of funding because fewer people are smoking.