S.C. Senate advances 50-cent cigarette tax increase
COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Senate gave key approval Wednesday to a 50-cent per pack increase to the state's cigarette tax, setting aside much of the new money for health care for low income residents.
South Carolina's cigarette tax is currently 7 cents, the lowest in the nation. It was last raised 31 years ago. The vote to increase the tax was 30-11 in the Senate, with one abstention.
The tax is expected to collect $159 million yearly. Nearly all the money would be spent on expanding the state's Medicaid program and creating a new voucher system for the state's lowest-income residents to get private health insurance.
The measure is expected to get final approval Thursday before heading to an uncertain future in the House and a promised veto by Republican Gov. Mark Sanford.
The House bill started out last year as a tax swap that raised the cigarette tax by 30 cents in exchange for eliminating the sales tax on groceries. The move allowed Republicans who had signed no-new-tax pledges to support the measure.
The Senate version makes no attempt to balance a tax increase with a break, leading Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer to say the governor's veto promise stands.
But supporters plan to keep pushing for the tax increase.
The South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative plans to press for how the bill promotes healthy lifestyles, pointing out the proposal would spend $5 million on programs to keep children from starting to smoke, said Kelly Davis, coordinator for the coalition of groups which includes the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Lung Association.
"We really want to try to keep everybody focused on the fact that this is not about raising taxes. It's about a public health initiative that is projected to keep over 35,000 of our kids from ever beginning to smoke and to really think about the long-term effect that this is going to have on the health of our state," Davis said.
The Senate bill opens up health care options to people who now can't afford insurance or aren't poor enough to qualify for Medicaid.
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Comments
This article has 12 comment(s)
Posted by whycantitbebetterhere on May 8, 2008 at 1:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a tax bill only - health care on the backs of smokers. Look out overweight people and drinkers they will come for your money next. Republicans said they wouldn't raise taxes - I guess smokers don't count.
Posted by whycantitbebetterhere on May 8, 2008 at 1:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why isn't there a tax that can be put into place to keep people from ever starting drinking? It is just as bad for your health - especially if you become an alcoholic? It stinks too...
Posted by KidYendor on May 8, 2008 at 2:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We need to support Gov. Sanford's veto on this bill. We need to oppose all initiatives to proliferate American government love for anything having to do with the welfare state. People ask why do the kids not have moms and dads? Why are the kids bad in school? Why must adults sit on their porches all day doing nothing? Why are unmarried teen girls filling the maternity wards with 70 percent of the deliveries funded by Medicaid? They know their welfare check will soon be coming that's why. This is more legislation to expand the state and federal welfare state. The rest of us condemn it and the politicians don't listen, they expand it, they are sick in their heads as they continue destroying America's family values. Cigarette tax increases must go to taxpayer relief and not welfare expansion.
Posted by NativeSon on May 8, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a namby pamby bunch at the state house! The tobacco tax increase should be high enough to serve as an incentive for these junkies to kick the filthy habit. Add another zero to your figure making it $5.00 a pack, not fifty cents.
Posted by feb251939 on May 8, 2008 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
South Carolina is fast becoming a liberal state, first with Lindsay Graham as our Senator and now the 'tax 'em' mentality.
Stick to your guns Governor Sanford and keep our state red.
Posted by CHRISJIII on May 8, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another bad idea from a bunch of backwards idiots!!!!
Posted by oldglory on May 8, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll agree to the cigarette tax increase when these taxes are raised/in place:
1. Alcohol wherever it is sold/consumed;
2. Overweight adults who have developed diabetes 2 from plain ol' overeating;
3. All food manufactured/prepared/served commerically that contains more than minimum requirements for fats, sugars and salt, particularly low- fat and sugar foods that raise salt content to 5X what is necessary (this is the crux of overweight people who have developed our leading U.S. diseases that raise so much of our health insurance costs).
I'd rant more about why these things exist, but I think most of us know whose back gets scratched and why.
Posted by Neponset on May 8, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope these folks go too far, smokers quit and the gravy train ends. But you know they hope that folks will keep on smoking and keep the money flowing to the likes to ness motly, local and state coffers.
P.S, I smoke.
Posted by Neponset on May 8, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cold
Thanks for your support and excellent words.
Posted by rollo on May 8, 2008 at 8:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly, CB, where will they get the money once they have taxed smoking to death(figuratively, and literally)? $0.50/oz tax on fastfood? And when it's gone, energy consumption? and when we all light our homes with candles, a $0.50/oz tax on tallow? The reach of gov't has become too long.
Posted by feb251939 on May 9, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've previously stated that alcohol should be taxed the same way tobacco is but they seem to be ignoring other sources that could be used.
They could fine (tax) prostitutes and their 'john's' with the same vigor they go after tobacco. Of course, they should be given short sentences, as they do now, to get them back on the streets to earn more and get caught again.
They could also put a 'special tax' on each porno video rented or bought in South Carolina , that could also bring in ton's of cash.
They could also put a 'special tax' on porn magazines, another good source of revenue.
Sin taxes are fully accepted so if even smacks of sin, tax it and tax it hard.
Posted by Test2007 on May 9, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sin taxing? I don't know what all falls under it but I love it.
geez