Maryland Health Organizations Push for Higher Cigarette Tax

Top Maryland health advocates endorsed a proposal to increase state cigarette taxes by $1 per pack, in a report released Wednesday.

Could Increasing the Cost of Cheap Cigars Reduce Teenage Marijuana Use?

Supporters of tax increases on cheap cigars say higher prices will be a disincentive for teenage tobacco use. What’s not clear is whether the increases will also dissuade kids from smoking blunts — hollowed out cigars filled with marijuana.

State Senate Moving Forward with Tobacco Tax

The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee voted Thursday to increase tax rates on cigars and smokeless tobacco from 15 to 75 percent. However, taxes on premium, hand-rolled cigars will be increased to 20 percent.