Legislation Introduced on Reclassifying Little Cigars
Date: 31-01-2013
[MMA News Now, Jan. 31, 2013] Two senators have introduced identical bills to reclassify “little cigars” as cigarettes. This, along with raising the tax rate on tobacco products, is a priority for the MMA in the 2013 session.
“These little cigars are very appealing to youth,” said Eric Dick, manager of state legislative affairs. “Nearly identical to conventional cigarettes, they are often available in flavors appealing to youth like grape and chocolate. Given a tax loophole, they are far less expensive than cigarettes. They need to be taxed and treated like cigarettes so kids are discouraged from buying them.”
Both of the bills – SF 134 introduced by Sens. Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) and SF 135 led by Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) - received their first hearing on Jan. 30 in the senate’s Tax Reform Division.
Sen. Nelson also introduced a bill that would increase tax on cigarettes by $1.29 per pack. (SF 144).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|