Success at last althought bittersweet with the tax going into general revenue and the tobacco cessation budget slashed..
Progress and thanks to you for supporting these efforts-
Effective this Friday, April 10, 2009, Rhode Island will have the highest
cigarette tax in the nation at $3.46 per pack. The Rhode Island General
Assembly passed the FY 2009 Supplemental budget last Friday, which
increased the cigarette tax by $1.00 while maintaining the state's minimum
markup provision and also increased the tax on other tobacco products from
40% of wholesale to 80% of wholesale. The 50 cent tax cap on cigars
remains in law. The Governor allowed the bill to become law yesterday
afternoon without his signature, despite rumors of a veto threat.
The tax increase is a bitter sweet win because funding for the state's
tobacco control program were cut and the funds for the tax increase go
right into the state's General Fund.
