美国爱达荷州通过新的法案，从7月1日起，每支雪茄的最高消费税不超过50美分。而此前该州的雪茄消费税是按照批发价格的35%征收，没有封顶。通常雪茄的零售价是批发价的两倍，这意味着一支零售价10美元的雪茄在爱达荷州征收的消费税大概是1.75美元。一支零售价15美元的雪茄的消费税是2.62美元，而一支零售价在20美元的雪茄则要支付3.5美元的消费税。
这个名为H.B. 330的法案，在爱达荷州众议院以61票对10票通过，在参议院以25票对8票通过。4月4日，爱达荷州州长布拉德·利特尔签署该法案。
来自爱达荷州的烟草零售商保罗·班杜奇、乔什·埃瓦茨在宣读高级雪茄协会（Premium Cigar Association）提供的一份联合声明中表示，这是经过八年争取获得的胜利，爱达荷州的税收政策的调整使得当地的小企业更具有竞争力。当我们还是一家小型的家族企业开始，就努力在推动经济公平，最终联合起一张强大的网络，将零售商、立法者、全爱达荷州的烟草消费者聚集起来，一起实现了十年前看起来似乎不可能实现的目标。
高级雪茄协会的格林·卢普表示，这是爱达荷州当地零售商的一个教科书式的举措，他们建立与当地立法机构的对话机制，提出自己的正当理由，最终促成了法案的出台。我和爱达荷州州议员卡尔·比约克进行了富有成效的讨论和对话，高级雪茄协会很欣慰有机会提供证词、基层宣传和研究支持。最终当地的烟草商家对法案的出台起到了很重要的作用。
Cigars in the state of Idaho will soon become cheaper thanks to a 50-cent tax cap that just became law. Previously cigars in the state were taxed at 35 percent of their wholesale price, with no limit. Most cigars carry a retail price of twice wholesale value, meaning a $10 cigar would have a tax of $1.75 in Idaho, a $15 cigar would have a tax of $2.62 and a $20 cigar would have a tax of $3.50. That will now be capped at 50 cents, regardless of the price. The new law will go into effect on July 1.
“This is a victory over eight years in the making,” said Idaho tobacconists Paul Banducci and Josh Evarts, in a joint statement provided by the Premium Cigar Association. “What began as one small family-owned shop in North Idaho pushing for economic fairness, has culminated in a strong network of shops, legislators, and customers across the state coalescing to achieve what, a decade ago seemed impossible. This adjustment in tax policy will make our local small businesses more competitive.”
The bill, known as H.B. 330, passed the Idaho House of Representatives in convincing fashion, with a vote of 61 to 10, then went on the Idaho Senate where it passed, 25 votes for to eight against. Gov. Brad Little signed it into law yesterday afternoon. Gov. Little has been in office since 2019.
“This was a textbook initiative of local shop owners, building upon their relationships with members of the legislature, making their case and ushering a bill through the process,” said PCA Director of state advocacy Glynn Loope. “I had productive discussions and strategy calls with Idaho state senator Carl Bjerke, and PCA welcomed the opportunity to provide testimony, grassroots advocacy and research support. These local shops, though, made the difference.”