Massachusetts Raises $285M from $1-Per-Pack Cigarette Tax

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts taxpayers have shelled out an extra $542 million since state lawmakers voted three years ago to hike the tax on cigarettes and gasoline, with none of the cigarette revenue going directly to anti-smoking programs.

That's rankled some activists, who have turned their attention to pushing for a ban on the sale of tobacco products to those under 21.

From September 2013 through the end of May, smokers have plunked down an extra $285 million from the new $1-per-pack hike tax, according to information provided to the Associated Press by the Executive Office of Administration and Finance.

Drivers have paid an extra $257 million to fill up their tanks as a result of the 3-cent-per-gallon increase.

While virtually all of the gas tax money has gone to highway construction and maintenance, none of the extra cigarette taxes have gone specifically to fighting tobacco use.