Ketchikan assembly to vote on tobacco tax

KETCHIKAN (AP) — The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly will cast its first official vote on a proposed tobacco tax.

The Ketchikan Daily News reports that the Assembly is considering a $3-per-pack tax on cigarettes and a 75-percent wholesale tax on other tobacco products including e-cigarettes Monday.

The Assembly last voted on the topic in July. They split the vote four to three on whether to draft the ordinance. In June the tax failed to pass muster when two members were absent. If approved, it will return to the Assembly again for a second vote.

The borough estimates the tax would raise more than $1.2 million. That revenue would be split between the city of Ketchikan and the rest of the borough, with the city receiving 60 percent.