Cigarette taxes for health insurance dies

A proposal to raise S.C.'s lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax and spend the money on health insurance tax credits has failed in the Senate Finance committee.

The proposal, which would have raised the tax by 50 cents a pack, failed 8 to 14.

The committee is now debating other proposal to raise the tax, and how to spend the money.

Comments

[Danny Wells]

I would not agree to any tax increase on
anything. My last reply was on a tax increase for gas. The Government must stop taking from one group and giving to another or the United States will become a Socialist state.

[Angie Derrick]

God forbid increase the cigarette tax and mark just 1% of the revenue for lung cancer advocacy and research. Our state of South Carolina does not have a hospital yet recognized by the National Cancer Institute, but Hollings Cancer Center is well on its way. I dream of the day when The Lung Cancer Center at Hollings Cancer Center see its fruition.
Lung Cancer in South Carolina...
was diagnosed in 3,460 citizens in 2007.
tragically took the lives of 2,750 lives, in 2007, as well.
is grossly underfunded, unidentified, and stigmatized.
is ravaging and must be cured.
Raise the tax. With simply 1% of the revenue and 1% of the Master Tobacco Settlement South Carolina received, we could be well on our way to creating The Lung Cancer Center. If only my dream could come true.

[Gary Watts]

I'd say it's the wrong economic climate to increase taxes on any product. Besides, the cancer excuse is now being replaced with something else to form a "new" bill- the tax MUST be applied and cancer research is no longer the cause (excuse) of the day. A lot of people smoke, and just when they have been forced to keep the habit to themselves, the bad tobacco user must be further descriminated against, prosecuted, and hounded by a taxing body with an agenda. Fuel costs have the working class on it's knees, and they may need a smoke. And imagine the possible crime increase statistics!