MS HB1500

Increases the excise tax on cigarettes from 3.4 cents to 5.9 cents per cigarette sold, with cigarettes exceeding 120 millimeters in length taxed as two or more cigarettes.

Maintains the 15% excise tax rate on cigars, cheroots, stogies, snuff, chewing tobacco, smoking tobacco, and other tobacco products (excluding cigarettes).

Reduces the dealer compensation discount from 8% to 4% for stamps purchased after June 1, 1985 to comply with taxes imposed by this section.

Establishes that the tax burden falls on the vendee, user, consumer, or possessor of tobacco in Mississippi, with any advance payments by other persons added to the product price.

Effective date of July 1, 2019.