In a remarkable change, South Carolina has voted to increase its cigarette tax for the first time since 1977. Well, sort of for the first time. The legislature originally increased the cigarette tax earlier in the month. But it was subsequently vetoed by Governor Sanford (R-SC). Today, however, the legislature managed to override the veto, something they did not (or would not) do in prior years.
Despite the fact that Governor Sanford is Republican, the heavily GOP Senate easily had enough votes to override the veto: 33-13. The vote in the House was similarly overwhelming: 90-29.
The 50 cent per pack increase is effective July 1.
(Hat tip: @jjpringlesc)
