Cigarette tax passes House

The S.C. House has approved a 50-cent per pack increase to the nation's lowest cigarette tax, using the money to pay for a new health care program for low-income workers and those who can not be insured.

The measure passed with little debate, 97-22. A measure to lower the increase to 30-cents a pack narrowly failed.

Last year the House approved a tax increase but could not override a veto from Gov. Mark Sanford. Thursday's margin was more than the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

Senate delays action on smoking bill

The Senate delayed action Tuesday on a bill that would make it unlawful for an adult to smoke in a car with a child who is 10 years old or younger. 

Some senators raised concerns the proposed legislation, modeled after the state's controversial seat belt law, impinges on individual liberties. 

"I have a problem with the enforcement," said Sen. Mick Mulvaney, R-Lancaster. 

Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Richland, who is sponsoring the bill, said the legislation would treat violators much like the state's seat belt law does, imposing a $25 fine, at a law officer's discretion, and a violator could not lose their driver's license as a result. 

Jackson pulled the bill back to work out differences with other lawmakers, and said the bill would be taken up again Wednesday.

Poll: 75% in S.C. want cigarette tax hike

Anti-smoking advocates have released a poll showing that three quarters of state voters favor raising the state's lowest-in-the  nation cigarette tax - and a majority favor spending the money on health care.

The poll of 500 likely voters was conducted by Virginia-based firm Public Opinion Strategies in December.

The poll also found there was almost no difference in support between raising the tax by 50 cents or by 93 cents a pack. Lawmakers have said raising the cigarette tax will be a top legislative issue. There is general agreement to raise the tax, but disagreement about how to spend the revenue.

Last year lawmakers approved a 50 cent a pack increase but could not override a gubernatorial veto.

Cigarette tax plan dead under Sanford veto

The House failed to overturn a veto issued by Gov. Mark Sanford Tuesday, killing a 50 cents a pack cigarette tax advocates say would have helped 80,000 South Carolinians attain health care.

Sanford vetoed the tax because he wanted the Legislature to cut taxes elsewhere by an equal amount. The House failed to uphold the veto because it could not agree on how the estimated $159 million would be spent.

House lawmakers engaged in hours of heated debate that centered on race and class divisions. Some House members supporting the veto did not want the money to go toward expanding Medicaid, which pays for health care for the poor.

Ban on inhalable alcohol moves on

The House has given key approval to outlawing "alcohol without liquid devices" that  people use to inhale alcohol instead of drinking it.

After one more routine vote by House lawmakers, the bill heads back to the Senate.

DUI offenders must install ignition device under bill

A bill that will require the installation of ignition interlock devices on the vehicles of people who violate drunk driving laws received key House approval Tuesday. After one more vote, the bill will head to the governor's desk.

The devices, used in other states, will require drivers to blow into it and it will determine if and how much the driver has been drinking.

If the device picks up alcohol, then the car's engine will be rendered inoperable.

House wants to delay cigarette tax vote

House leaders are hoping to delay debate of a bill raising the state's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax despite efforts of tax supporters.

House delays cigarette tax debate

The House delayed debate on a Senate-passed cigarette tax bill that would raise the state's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack.

The House passed a bill last year that would have raised the tax by 30 cents and would have spent the money on tax cuts.

The Senate wants to spend the money on health care -- between shoring up Medicaid and paying for tax credits to make group health coverage more affordable for businesses and employees.

Cigarette tax plan would help buy health coverage

House leaders are working on a cigarette tax plan that would spend all the revenue raised on tax cuts for small businesses to purchase health insurance.

Cigarette tax proponents to push cause Tuesday

South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative will address the media Tuesday morning to urge the S.C. House of Representatives to pass a Senate version of the cigarette tax.

The Senate version of the tax, which would raise the state's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax to 57 cents from 7 cents, would be spend on health care.

The House version of the tax would be used for tax relief.

The collaborative has supported the tax on the grounds that it would discourage some from smoking. It has also advocated proceeds from the tax be spent on health care.