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Cigarette Tax Bill Wins Initial Approval in House

by KREX News Room
by Kristina Kuestner

Story Created: Feb 2, 2013 at 12:16 AM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 2, 2013 at 12:31 AM MDT

DENVER (AP)- A bill that would permanently allow state sales tax to be imposed on cigarettes won initial approval in the Colorado House.

The deal would direct the $28 million expected to be raised from the tax to the College Opportunity Fund Program next fiscal year.

Republicans spent Friday morning arguing against HB1144 saying it was a regressive tax on working families.

Democrats argued the tax would encourage healthy behavior.

The state sales tax is 2.9 percent and it typically amounts to 12 or 13 cents on a pack of cigarettes.

The tax faces a final vote in the House before the Senate will consider it.

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drear beer said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 6:35 PM

Yep I am sure that the tax will encourage healthy behavior. Just like it has back East. Once everyone quits smoking and thus the state quits picking up the tax who will we tax to support the College Opportunity fund Program in the future? It is a stupid idea to use as tax to modify behavior. Very stupid.

Grego said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 7:26 PM

Why would the tax be used for a college fund??Why not use the tax for promoting "non-smoking" campaigns?...Better yet, make cigarettes illegal? I prefer the second choice, as I am dreadly hooked...Grego

terry said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 8:45 PM

why don't we add a sin tax to ski lift tickets. why should the states always pick on us scumbag smokers?

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