DENVER (AP) — Altria, one of the world's largest tobacco companies, has hired lobbyists and is mounting a social media campaign against a proposal to raise Colorado's nicotine tax.
The Colorado Sun reported Tuesday that an Altria lobbying arm hired local lobbyists a week before Gov. Jared Polis announced the nicotine initiative on April 24.
Altria bought a $13 billion stake in the vaping company Juul in December.
The bill would ask voters to raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 84 cents to $2.49 and to impose a 62 percent tax other nicotine products, including vaping devices.
Revenues would go to schools and health care.
The bill faces tough odds of passing before the 2019 Legislature ends May 3. It passed the House Wednesday morning but still has to pass the Senate.
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Information from: The Colorado Sun, http://coloradosun.com
