
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 6, 1992                   TAG: 9203060410
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Bonnie V. Winston
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

CIGARETTE TAX BILL SQUEAKS THROUGH HOUSE

The House of Delegates dealt the tobacco lobby a rare defeat Thursday, passing legislation that would allow Roanoke County and four Northern Virginia localities to impose or increase taxes on cigarettes.

The bill now goes to the Senate for concurrence on several amendments.

The measure, which squeaked out of the House 46-44 , was vigorously opposed by the industry. It would raise an estimated $440,000 annually for Roanoke County schools through a 10-cents-per-pack tax.

Del. Steven Agee, R-Salem, argued that passing the bill would even the playing field between counties in the Roanoke Valley and cities, which already have authority to tax tobacco products.

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by CNB