Coalition pushes for increased tax on smokeless tobacco

"Anti-smoking forces upset over little cigars and candy-flavored tobacco marketed to children said Tuesday they will push for a 55% tax on all non-cigarette tobacco products. The Investing in Tobacco-Free Youth Coalition said when legislators raised the state cigarette tax in 2003 and 2005, they did not include smokeless products." (Source: "Anti-smoking group to push for tax on smokeless products," Associated Press, Feb. 6, 2008.) Currently, the tax rate on smokeless tobacco products is 17%; the coalition aims to increase that tax to 55%, or the same as cigarettes.