Council on Indian Affairs to Consider Cigarette Taxes

Lawmakers will reignite the possibility of boosting cigarette taxes on Monday.

Legislators and tribal leaders will huddle at the Statehouse in a meeting of the Idaho Council on Indian Affairs where they will consider proposed legislation to increase the state tax on a pack of smokes.

Legislation is being proposed that could bump the tax on cigarettes by as much as $1.25 a pack (state tax is currently 57 cents a pack). The bill could include a provision to have tribes adopt the same increase. House Speaker Lawerence Denney said he'd like to see tribes at least charge tax on any sales to non-tribal members.

A $1.25 sales tax increase is expected to generate $45 to $50 million in revenues. Sponsors said they'd like to see that money earmarked for Health and Welfare needs.