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.