Hefty Cigarette Tax Increase Suggested

Four former U.S. surgeons general have come up with a new 10 point plan to encourage more people to kick the habit. They predict at least 5 million people will be prompted to quit if this plan is put into place.

Increasing cigarette excise taxes from $.39 to $2.39(U.S. dollars) per pack will perhaps force many to finally put cigarettes down for good. Half of the tax money would be used to fund other facets of this plan, including a national, toll-free quitline.

"If we act now, we can prevent tomorrow's cancer, emphysema and health disease," said Dr. David Satcher, who served under Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush from 1998-2002. Read more...