This morning the Senate passed House Bill 2493 – the tax increase on cigarettes and other tobacco products. The House passed HB 2493 the first week of special session.

House Bill 2493 raises state cigarette taxes by $1 per pack and increases taxes on other tobacco products.

The Senate did amend the bill to change the effective date. The effective date for the changes to all tobacco products, except for moist snuff, was changed from April 1, 2010, to May 1, 2010. The changes made to the taxation of moist snuff remain effective October 1, 2010.

House Bill 2493 now goes back to the House for concurrence on the amendment to change the effective date.