Veto Override Clears S.C. Tobacco Tax Hike

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford vetoed a bill raising the state’s tobacco tax, as expected, but the state legislature surprised some by overriding the veto and enacting the 50-cent-per-pack tax increase.

South Carolina Local News reported May 15 that the state House voted 90-29 to override Sanford’s veto; the vote in the Senate was 33-13. A two-thirds majority was needed in both houses of the legislature to override the veto.

The law raises the state tobacco tax from a national low of 7 cents per pack to 57 cents.  It is expected to generate $135 million in revenues for the state, and backers also hope the price increase will discourage youth smoking and encourage some current smokers to quit.