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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A proposal to increase the state tax on cigarettes to $1.30 a pack has stalled in the Utah Senate.
Utah currently puts a tax of 69.5 cents on every pack of cigarettes.
Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, says he wants to increase that tax to deter people from smoking. But some conservative lawmakers say they're uncomfortable raising any taxes during a poor economic climate.
A proposal to send Christensen's bill to the Senate floor for debate was defeated in a committee Thursday on a 4-to-3 vote.
Senate Bill 114 was later tabled, which means it could come up for a vote again if any changes are made to the bill or he can persuade committee members to change their vote.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
