South Carolina Considers Hefty Cigarette Tax Hike March 24, 2009 Joseph Bishop-Henchman Joseph Bishop-Henchman The Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives has introduced a bill to raise the state cigarette tax from 7 cents to 57 cents, a 714% increase expected to raise $139 million. The increase would push South Carolina’s tax higher than its neighbors, so it may not bring in the revenue they expect. More importantly, the fairness of taxing a small group of politically unpopular (and mostly low-income) people to fund government programs for all should be considered. This can lead to budget instability as citizens demand more government than they are willing to pay for. More on cigarette taxes here. Stay informed on the tax policies impacting you. Subscribe to get insights from our trusted experts delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Share Tweet Share Email Topics South Carolina Cigarette and Tobacco Taxes Excise Taxes Individual and Consumption Taxes Tags State Tax and Spending Policy