Health Group To Push $1 Increase In Tobacco Tax

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A Maryland health group is planning to push for a $1 increase in the state's tobacco tax.

The Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative says it will launch the campaign next week in an effort to build public support for increasing the tax to pay for public health needs.

Vincent DeMarco, the president of the group, says he hopes to build on successful pushes to raise taxes on tobacco four years ago in Maryland and this year's 50 percent increase in the sales tax on alcohol.

Maryland last raised its tobacco tax from $1 a pack to $2 a pack during a special session in 2007.

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