Tobacco tax hike considered

State lawmakers are considering a measure that would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by one dollar. Republican Representative Ron Stephens of Savannah introduced the legislation that would use the added revenue to fund state health care programs. Lawmakers last raised the tobacco tax in 2003 and have been reluctant to subsequent increases. Georgia’s tax on tobacco is among the lowest in the nation at 37 cents per pack.

Panel urges tough tobacco rules

An advisory panel to the President says the federal government should increase taxes on tobacco products. The President’s Cancer Panel meeting in Atlanta also urged the Bush Administration to strictly regulate tobacco sales and marketing to aid the nation's fight against cancer. The three-member panel is charged with monitoring the nation's efforts to eliminate cancer. This report looked at the impact of both obesity and smoking on cancer.