The South Carolina Senate recently squashed a bill that would have raised cigarette taxes. The revenue from the tax was to be used to help cover health care costs.
It would have raised the cigarette tax in South Carolina from the current low of 7 cents to 50 cents per pack. This would’ve created a revenue increase of $145 million.
The majority of the money from the tax would be applied toward a maximum of $3,000 for individual health care plans for low income uninsured residents. Employers who contributed would also receive a credit of 67% for their contributions.
The bill was a waste of time, proclaimed John Land, the Senate Minority Leader. He thinks the tax revenue should be put in the Medicaid state plan to have a more efficient impact.
Senator Land was not a fan of the bill, saying it was a silly proposal for the state.
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