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Governor Charlie Crist says he won’t stand in the way of legislation to raise the state’s tobacco tax.

Lawmakers voted to raise the state’s cigarette tax by a dollar a pack earlier this month. Crist has opposed new taxes his entire term as Governor and has the authority to veto the legislation. Surrounded by health care workers at a bill signing ceremony this morning Crist told reporters he likes the plan.

“Here we’re talking about a hospital and the irony isn’t lost on me. The health care cost that would be saved, and I think obviously a reduction in the people that would smoke, that would be a good thing,” said Crist.

The tobacco tax is expected to generate 900 million dollars for the state, and keep thousands of teens from ever lighting up.