Cigarettes cost about a $6.50 a pack in Vermont, and the price would go up by a dollar if a new proposal gets enough support. Anti-tobacco advocates say raising the price drives down smoking rates, and generates revenue for anti-tobacco programs. Opponents say taxes hurt retail businesses, especially when consumers can go to neighboring states with lower taxes.
VPR’s Jane Lindholm talks the pros and cons of increasing the cigarette tax with Tina Zuk, coordinator of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Vermont, and Jim Harrison, president of the Vermont Grocers’ Association, which opposes the idea.