Beshear wants ban and tax

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear says a statewide smoking ban combined with a cigarette tax hike would “significantly affect the health of Kentuckians in a positive way.”

Beshear says a statewide smoking ban would address secondhand smoking, while a cigarette tax hike would lower the rate of smokers in Kentucky. Beshear, a Democrat, says he supports a statewide smoking ban, but wants local governments to have a say.

Senate President David Williams, a Burkesville Republican, called for a statewide smoking ban on Monday night.

Beshear has proposed, among other things, hiking Kentucky’s cigarette tax, currently 30 cents a pack, to $1 a pack as a way to ease the state’s projected $456 million budget shortfall and boost public health. (AP)