Tobacco users in the Granite State will be paying a little more beginning Aug. 1 due to an increase in New Hampshire's tax triggered by a drop in revenue.
The Republican Legislature dropped the tax two years ago, arguing that it would lead to higher sales of tobacco and other products, especially along the borders with states that have higher tobacco tax rates. The law required the tax to automatically go back up if tax receipts for 2012 and 2013 were lower than 2010 and 2011. A report to lawmakers Wednesday determined the state took in $56 million less over the last two years.
The tax on a pack of cigarettes will rise a dime to $1.78. The rate on other products, except premium cigars, will be 65 percent of the wholesale sales price.
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