That was also the motivation of Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, who proposed a per pack increase of 70 cents in the 2008 session. He reduced the hike to 50 cents, but in a year of revenue surplus and an election, the idea was left untouched.

A revenue shortfall and the election out of the way, Ray's proposal has become the seed of a new effort to impose a tax nearly twice as big. Advocates such as the American Heart Association and state public health administrators have heartily endorsed the idea. They have already made the rounds to newspaper editorial board seeking endorsements.

Huntsman, by name and personal lifestyle, endorses the health protection attributes of the tobacco tax bill or any other measure that might reduce the risk of cancer.

It's a personal matter to Ray, who is certain that his heart condition is far worse because of a parent's cigarette smoking throughout his childhood.

Family members and the state in many ways ends up dealing with the effects of smoking, "so it's a sooner-the-better proposition," he said.

The state's tobacco tax has not been increased since 2002, when it went to 69.5 cents from 49.5 cents per pack. The national average is $1.19, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. New York City has the highest combined state and local tax rate at $4.25, with $2.75 collected by the state. Utah has the 34th lowest state tax rate in the county, the organization noted.

According to the American Heart Association, Arizona adds $2 per pack, Idaho adds 57 cents, Wyoming 60 cents and Nevada, 80 cents. Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., have state tax rates of $2 per pack or higher.

Utah has the lowest per-capita tobacco use rates in the United States, with about 170,000 adults and 20,000 18 or younger Utahns who smoke. More than 1,100 deaths were attributed to smoking last year in Utah, according to the state Department of Health.

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com; jthalman@desnews.com