Win Win -- state cigarette tax increased revenue and reduced smoking

The $1/pack tax increase in cigarette taxes implemented last October brought in over $100 million while seven million fewer packs of cigarettes were sold, according to the Hartford Courant. It was expected that increasing taxes would both increase revenue and reduce cigarettes sold, but this increase brought in $5 million more than projected. The increase brought total taxes to $3/pack in CT, fourth highest in the nation but behind neighboring NY and RI. Over the last five years, the number of state residents who smoke and the number of packs sold has declined; about 17% of CT adults smoke.
Ellen Andrews