North Carolina Senator Pushes for Alcohol, Cigarette Tax Increase

Related Stories California Businessman Fights Three Strikes Law   California Voters Support Reformed 'Three Strikes' Law   State Law Allows Arrests Below DUI Threshold   Study: States Rarely Enforce Laws on Sales to Drunk Patrons

North Carolina Senate leader Marc Basnight (D-Dare) has introduced legislation that would increase taxes on beer, wine, and cigarettes to recoup state costs associated with alcohol, tobacco, and other drug addiction, WRAL-TV 5 reported June 3.

Critics of the measure said it targets low-income families who are already financially strapped. "About 40 percent of the people who use, let's say tobacco, are in the lower-income bracket. So what we're doing is taxing people because they're the victim of an addiction. It doesn't make any sense at all," said Rep. Sam Ellis (R-Wake).

The bill was rejected in the House of Representatives because many lawmakers signed a pledge not to raise taxes this session.