LINCOLN — A proposal in the Nebraska Unicameral would increase the state’s cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack.
That means a jump from $0.64 to $2.14 per pack. The idea is to use the revenue to fund health care programs and provide property tax relief. Estimates have that revenue at $120 million.
The bill points out that more than 2,000 Nebraskans are killed by tobacco each year and claims that price increases are the most effective way to reduce tobacco use, especially among youth.
