Cigarette sales have increased in Wisconsin, providing additional tax revenue for the state treasury and disappointment for smoking foes.
Despite health warnings, cigarette consumption in the fiscal year that ended June 30 was 2.2 percent greater than the previous year. That produced about 3.3 percent more revenue, or $6.5 million, than was anticipated, the Department of Revenue said.
“We are very depressed when we see the increase in usage,” said retired registered nurse Pat Finder-Stone of De Pere, a smoking foe.
She is among people who recommend increasing the state tax of 44 cents a pack to $1 in an attempt to discourage purchases, especially among adolescents.
Cigarette taxes provided $204.6 million during the fiscal year.
Groups that want the Legislature to add 56 cents to the 44-cents-a-pack tax include Wisconsin chapters of the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Lung Association.
A press release by a coalition of the groups predicted this week that a tax of $1 a pack could persuade 24,000 Wisconsin smokers to quit each year.
Gov. Tommy Thompson recommended an increase of 5 cents a pack in his budget proposals in February. Democrats who have numerical control of the state Senate have recommended a 19-cent increase and Republicans who control the Assembly propose 15 cents.
