• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Politics / Govt / Big Tobacco fights back

Big Tobacco fights back

March 20, 2009 By WRN Contributor

Governor Doyle's proposed 75-cent per pack increase in the cigarette tax is drawing fire from tobacco companies.

Bill Phelps, a spokesman for Phillip Morris, says the tax could actually hurt many small businesses across Wisconsin, by prompting them to look at cheaper options for getting cigarettes. Phelps argues that, instead of buying cigarettes at a convenience store, smokers will get them online or at a Native American casino.

Supporters of the tax increase say it will convince more people to quit smoking. Phelps says it may work for some people, but past evidence has shown most smokers will just look for cheaper places to buy cigarettes.

The increase would bring Wisconsin's per pack tax rate to $2.52, which could bring several hundred million dollars in new tax revenue to the state. Phelps says the math doesn't always work out that way though. He points to New Jersey, which raised its tax to $2.57 and actually lost $22 million in revenue after the increase.

Phelps was at the Capitol Thursday, where he was lobbying lawmakers to oppose the increase. 

AUDIO: John Colbert reports (MP3 :38)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Politics / Govt





compeer financial celebrates beef month

Featured Stories

Evers and Republican leaders reach shared revenue deal

Wisconsin DNR warns of elevated fire danger this week

Baldwin announces U.S. Senate reelection bid

‘Tragic, terrible’ – Sheriff on Barron County police officers deaths

Two police officers killed in Barron County shootout

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Evers’ AmFam funding plan ‘a nonstarter’ with Assembly Republicans

New pitch clock could speed up MLB games this season, says UW expert

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC