Wisconsin smokers could be paying more to help balance the state budget.
Governor Doyle hasn't ruled out another increase in the cigarette tax, despite a dollar a pack hike that was included in the last budget cycle.
Eric Schutt, with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Cancer Society, says his organization would welcome another increase. Schutt says the added revenue helps, and such increases also help to encourage more smokers to quit.
Wisconsin is facing a $5.7 billion budget deficit, and Schutt says that makes it more likely the governor could look to cigarette taxes to help bring in additional revenue. Governor Doyle will submit his budget to lawmakers next week.
Wisconsin's cigarette tax is currently $1.77 a pack.
