Politics & Government

Our Butts Are Cheaper Than Yours

NH cigarettes will be even cheaper than in Mass. after its $1 per pack tax hike.

This story was written by Dan Tuohy and posted by Robert Michaelson.

A bill in the New Hampshire Legislature to hike the state cigarette tax by 20 cents was ultimately killed in the Senate on a party-line vote back in May. Republicans argued it would put a crimp on cross-border sales.

Starting next week, then, will merchants north of the border get a big sales boost?
Next week, Massachusetts will hike its cigarette tax by $1 to $3.51 a pack – the second highest state tobacco levy in the nation.

New Hampshire's bill would have increased the state cigarette tax from $1.68 to $1.88 per pack. Each 10-cent increase in the rate increases state revenue by about $10 million annually.

So, will the our-butts-are-cheaper-than-yours message get across to Bay Staters, and will they come in greater droves to sales-tax-free New Hampshire?


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