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Mass. Advocates Look To Increase Tobacco Taxes

Massachusetts lawmakers and advocates are pushing to raise taxes on smokeless tobacco, loose tobacco and small cigars, saying it could net between $10 million and $13 million a year for the state.

Tobacco Free Mass, an advocacy group for tobacco prevention, and Reps. Jonathan Hecht and Sean Garballey are launching the effort Wednesday. They want to bring the tax on these tobacco products to the same level as cigarette taxes.

The advocates say teenagers have been switching to cheaper tobacco products since the state cigarette tax went up in July.

This program aired on March 25, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.

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