Tobacco tax rise for US smokers
The largest-ever single increase in US federal taxes on cigarettes has taken effect, almost tripling the tax on a packet to more than $1. The Obama administration plans to use the money to pay for health care for uninsured children.
Health campaigners say raising taxes on cigarettes in the middle of a recession is a good way to get more people to stop smoking. A 20-a-day smoker will have to pay an additional $225 (£156) a year. Similar tax increases went into effect for cigars, pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco.
Read the whole article at BBC News
Reference
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1. 4. 2009 BBC News
