Bill > S1809

This bill aims to protect youth from nicotine addiction by increasing the excise tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The key provisions are: 1. The bill increases the excise tax on each cigarette sold from 150.5 mills to 200.5 mills, plus any amount by which the federal excise tax on cigarettes is less than 8 mills. This applies to both licensed retailers and unclassified acquirers (individuals importing cigarettes). 2. The bill imposes an 80% excise tax on the wholesale price of cigars and smoking tobacco held in the commonwealth, except for those that are exported or not subject to state taxation. 3. The bill requires manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and others with existing cigarette inventory and unused stamps to file a return and pay an additional 50 mill excise tax per cigarette within 21 days of the bill's effective date. The overall aim is to raise the cost of tobacco products to discourage youth usage and reduce nicotine addiction.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1809