Higher Cigarette, Alcohol Taxes Proposed

Drinkers and smokers would have to pay more for their pasttimes if two bills are approved by the General Assembly.

Senate Bill 1208, sponsored by Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, calls for raising the tax on each pack of cigarettes by 5 cents. The added revenue would go toward building a new cancer center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Lawmakers raised cigarette taxes from 5 cents to 30 cents a pack two years ago.

Senate Bill 1367, sponsored by Sen. Larry Shaw, D-Cumberland, calls for raising the excise tax on beer, wine and liquor to fund education programs designed to reduce underage drinking.