On Monday, public health groups had their shot at convincing lawmakers to raise the cigarette tax. And they were doomed from the start. The House Revenue and Taxation Committee voted 11-5 to kill the proposal before it was even formally printed. This committee — which, by legislative custom, gets the first look at any tax increases — once again lived up to its well-earned tax-hawk reputation. So much for this idea. For 2012, and probably for the forseeable future. Like the “Add the Words” legislation, which sought to expand Idaho anti-discrimination laws to cover sexual orientation and gender identity, the cigarette tax increase had some grassroots support behind it. Earlier in the session, supporters delivered more than 8,000 postcards to lawmakers, from Idahoans urging a cigarette tax increase/Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Do you support the decision by the House Revenue & Taxation Committee not to increase state taxes on cigarettes?