Story Published:
Apr 4, 2009 at 8:48 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 4, 2009 at 8:48 AM CDT
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- The Arkansas House has voted down a
measure that would make it a felony for someone to possess more
than 21 packs of cigarettes bought out of state.
Backers of the bill say it's an effort to stop people from
driving to neighboring states to load up on lower-priced
cigarettes. Earlier this session, the Arkansas Legislature approved
a 56-cent-per-pack increase on cigarettes.
But opponents argued that a felony was too strict a penalty for
possessing a few cartons of cigarettes bought out of state. The
measure failed Friday on a 31-45 vote.
The law now makes it a misdemeanor for someone to possess 11
packs of cigarettes that don't have Arkansas tax stamps.
