HB826

Revises tobacco tax laws, increasing cigarette tax and setting new rates for premium cigars and moist snuff.

Revises tobacco tax laws by increasing the tax on cigarettes from $1.70 to $2.70 per package of 20 cigarettes. Establishes a tax on premium cigars at 50% of the wholesale price or 35 cents per cigar, whichever is less. Sets a tax on moist snuff at 85 cents per ounce, with proportional tax for packages less than or greater than 1 ounce. Exempts tobacco products shipped from Montana for retail sale outside the state. Requires wholesalers to precollect and pay the tax to the state upon sale to a Montana retailer.