![Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Again Fails In State House Committee](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/06/smoke.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Again Fails In State House Committee
BATON ROUGE, La. (KPEL) -- A second push to raise the state's cigarette tax failed once again in committee Tuesday, indicating how unpopular such a measure is among legislators.
House Bill 537, sponsored by Monroe Democrat Rep. Katrina Jackson, would have amended the state's constitution to raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 33 cents.
The measure, which would have required a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers and then approval by voters, failed in the House Ways and Means committee on an 11 - 7 vote.
A similar bill, which would have raised cigarette taxes by $1.05, was shelved Monday by its author, Bogalusa Democrat Rep. Harold Ritchie.
State cigarette taxes are among the lowest in the nation, according to a report from the Federation of Tax Administrators. Only Virginia's rate is lower, at 30-cents per pack. Texas collects $1.41 per pack of cigarettes.
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Governor Delays Cut To Higher Education](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/10/GettyImages-580034036.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Smokers Stocking Up To Beat Friday’s Cigarette Tax Increase](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2013/01/Cigarette-Smoker.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Poll Suggest Louisiana Voters In Favor Of Higher Cigarette Taxes](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/04/104157062.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Pros And Cons Of Louisiana’s Proposed Higher Tax On Cigarettes](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/08/Spencer-Platt-Getty-Images.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Cigarette Tax Encouraging More Louisiana Residents To Kick The Habit](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/01/cigarette-smoker-getty.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana’s Cigarette Tax Increase Takes Effect Today](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/04/104157062.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Senate Committee Advances Abortion Bill](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/04/Louisiana-Legislature.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![House Backs New Abortion Regulations](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2014/01/464525847.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tax Overhaul Could End Up Hiking Cigarette Prices](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2013/01/Cigarette-Smoker.jpg?w=980&q=75)