WASHINGTON -- It soon will cost an extra $1 to buy a pack of cigarettes in the District.The D.C. Council voted on Tuesday to double the city tax on a pack from $1 to $2.The tax is being raised to pay for a proposal by Council member David Catania to boost health care payments.
"I think that's an excellent idea when I look at health outcomes," said Council member Yvette Alexander. "With the health outcomes, we do want to send a strong message."Council member Jim Graham said the tax hurts the poor the most, but it could help cut consumption.
"I'm hoping that this will encourage, as the studies have shown it will, more people to quit," Graham said.The tax likely will take effect this fall when the 2009 budget year begins.Virginia imposes a tax of 30 cents per pack, plus some local county taxes. Maryland charges $2 a pack. The federal tax is 39 cents.D.C. currently earns about $21 million a year in cigarette taxes.
