Juneau to vote on raising cigarette tax

Juneau voters will decide whether to raise cigarette taxes.
The Juneau assembly voted Monday to put a proposition on the Oct. 6 ballot that would raise city taxes on a pack of cigarettes from 30 cents to $1.
The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence-Juneau asked for the increase so Juneau would be closer in line with the rest of the state.
The Juneau Empire reports the hike would increase city revenue from the tobacco tax to $1.69 million a year from $517,800 in 2008.
The tobacco money will be spent on health and social service needs related to substance abuse and tobacco use, prevention and cessation.