A hotline and ad campaign opposing a planned $1 per pack increase in the Massachusetts tobacco tax is being funded by tobacco firm Philip Morris, the Boston Herald reported April 18.

Philip Morris officials refused to tell reporters how much the company is spending on the campaign, but the effort is fairly intensive, including hiring people to hand out flyers in local supermarkets opposing the legislation. Residents are urged to call their representatives and urge them to vote against the tax increase, which has passed the House and is now being considered by the state Senate.

A company spokesperson said that raising the state tax to $2.51 per pack would only encourage smokers to buy cigarettes elsewhere, and he question backers' assertions that the tax would raise $175 million for healthcare programs each year.

Despite the campaign, however, Sen. Cynthia Green (D-Newton), chair of the Senate Revenue Committee, said she "wouldn't be surprised" if the measure passed.