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Lawmakers and health workers joined forces to point to what they say is an obvious solution to fill part of the budget gap. Florida has one of the lowest Cigarette taxes in the nation. The tax hasn’t been raised since 1990. Under the legislation smokers would have to cough up an extra buck for a pack of cigarettes. Lawmakers say the money would be used to fund health care.

“By increasing this cigarette user fee by one dollar, we will have the opportunity to prevent the massive cuts, the elimination of entire programs that we’re facing in the state now, close to a billion dollars in health care cuts,” said Senator Ted Deutch.

Supporters of the bill say raising the cigarette tax is a proven method to motivate smokers to kick the habit.