Hearing scheduled to raise Maryland tobacco tax

(AP) – Maryland lawmakers will be discussing a proposal to raise the state’s tobacco tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.

A hearing has been scheduled in the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.

The measure would raise the tax from $2 to $3. The bill also increases taxes on other tobacco products.

The bill would require the governor to include at least $21 million in annual funding for the Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program, starting in fiscal year 2018.

Maryland lawmakers last voted to raise the state’s cigarette tax in 2007, from $1 a pack to $2 a pack.