Image by Flickr user lanier67

Currently, South Carolina’s cigarette tax is seven cents per pack, which ranks 51st in the nation.

A recent report has found that by raising the cigarette tax to $1 per pack, South Carolina could see up to $209.4 million in new annual revenue that would help close the state’s budget shortfall while also reducing smoking.

According to the report, a $1 cigarette tax increase in South Carolina would also:

Prevent 46,700 children from becoming smokers.
Spur 25,700 current adult smokers to quit.
Save 21,700 residents from premature, smoking-related deaths.
Save $1 billion in health care costs.

Read more in the Charleston Regional Business Journal's article.