Maine Governor Janet Mills Proposes Tobacco Tax Increase for Budget Balance

Jan.13

Maine Governor Janet Mills proposes raising tobacco taxes to balance budget, citing low cigarette tax and high smoking rates.

According to a report by Halfwheel on January 12, Governor Janet Mills of Maine has released her two-year budget proposal, suggesting increases to tobacco taxes to achieve a balanced budget.

Mills pointed out that Maine's cigarette tax has not been adjusted since 2005 and currently stands at just $2 per pack. She proposed raising it to $3 per pack. The governor stated that currently, Maine has the lowest cigarette tax in the New England region, while the smoking rates among adults and teenagers are the first and second highest, respectively. These are the reasons she is pushing for a tax increase.

According to state law, if the cigarette tax is adjusted, the tax rate for other tobacco products must also be increased accordingly. The tax rate for cigars will be raised from 43% of the wholesale selling price to 65%. This new tax rate will also apply to chewing tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other products made from or containing natural or artificial nicotine.

According to supporting documents for the Miller proposal, it is estimated that raising tobacco taxes will generate an additional revenue of approximately $80 million for the state general fund over the next two years.

If the proposal is passed according to the current plan, the tax rate adjustment will take effect on January 5, 2026.

References:

[1] Maine's Governor Calls for 50 Percent Increase in Cigar & Tobacco Taxes

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Japan Tobacco Expands Ploom Aura EVO Menthol Line With Two New Products and One Upgraded Blend

Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) has added two new EVO sticks, Evo Black Menthol and Evo Fresh Mint, to its Ploom Aura lineup and reformulated Evo Cold Menthol, creating a menthol range with three distinct levels of cooling intensity and flavor profile.

Dec.01 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Tobacco-Free Kids Condemns PMI for Marketing Zyn to Youth via F1 Sponsorship

Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, issued a statement on December 10, 2025, condemning Philip Morris International (PMI) for partnering with Ferrari to promote Zyn nicotine pouches on Formula 1 cars. She said PMI’s claim that the sponsorship targets adults is misleading, as F1’s audience has become increasingly young—with over 4 million children aged 8–12 now following the sport.

Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Study: TikTok Content Frames Nicotine Pouches as “Trendy Accessories,” Diluting Risk Perception Among Youth

A study published in JMIR Formative Research analyzed 132 TikTok videos related to nicotine pouches and found that platform content predominantly presents these products as a “youthful trend” rather than as smoking cessation tools. Health risks are underrepresented, the user base appears largely male, and this portrayal may influence how adolescents perceive the risks associated with nicotine products.

Dec.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Belarus Proposes 20% Tax Increase on Vaping Products and Nicotine Items

Belarus will increase excise taxes in 2026 on vapes, liquids for electronic smoking systems, and non-tobacco nicotine products, with a proposed 20% rise aimed at aligning these rates with traditional cigarettes. Electronic smoking devices and heated tobacco systems will also be added to the list of excisable goods. Excise taxes on filtered cigarettes and heated tobacco will rise by 7% and 3% respectively.