50¢ cigarette tax hike approved in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan smokers will pay 50 cents more for a pack of cigarettes beginning next month under a bill approved Tuesday by the state Senate.

The measure, approved 20-16, was expected to be signed by Gov. John Engler.

The legislation would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 75 cents to $1.25 beginning Aug. 1, giving Michigan the third highest cigarette tax in the country behind New York and Washington state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.