Tobacco tax hike has Jersey puffers fuming

January 2, 1998
Web posted at: 9:07 p.m. EST (0207 GMT)

From Correspondent Christine Negroni

NEWARK, New Jersey (CNN) -- Some smokers in New Jersey are fuming about a big hike in the state's tobacco tax -- which has been raised to a whopping 80 cents per pack.

Only two states -- Alaska and Washington -- have a higher tax. Alaska's is $1 per pack; Washington's is 82.5 cents.

In New Jersey, the revenue from the new tax will be used to pay the costs of medical care for indigent people without medical insurance.

"At least we're tying in an activity which leads to health problems with health care funding," says Dr. Jon Katz, administrator at Newark's University Medical Center.

By law, New Jersey hospitals must provide medical care to anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay. At University Hospital alone, the bill for that care topped $57 million last year.

CNN's Christine Negroni tells you about New Jersey's new cigarette tax. 2 min. 04 sec. VXtreme video

But observers say the growing anti-smoking climate in the United States also helped fuel the legislation, which passed with little opposition. Some lawmakers say they will be pleased if some smokers, particularly young smokers, now give up the habit because of the new tax.

"Most people don't like taxes, but about three-quarters of the people polled in the state of New Jersey feel that an increase in the cigarette tax is good," says state Assemblyman Kip Bateman.

Related sites:

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

• New Jersey Online
  • Smokers cough a bit, but pay - January 2, 1998
• New Jersey Home Page (Official)
  • Governor's Office
  • New Jersey Division of Taxation

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

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