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Smoking, chewing gets more expensive

HELENA - The price of lighting up has gone up, with a cigarette tax increase taking effect today as part of the Legislature's effort to balance the state budget.

The tax jumped 52 cents a pack, from 18 cents to 70 cents, at midnight. That was just seven hours after Gov. Judy Martz signed the major tax measure of the legislative session. It included increases on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Janet Barnhart of Billings said Wednesday she was angered by lawmakers' decision to raise a tax aimed at a small portion of the population.

''Just because I choose to smoke, I don't feel that I sho...

 

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