15 Apr 2015

American Samoans to pay more for smokes

8:13 pm on 15 April 2015

The excise tax on cigarettes in American Samoa will jump by nearly 150 percent to 30 US cents a cigarette by June.

American Samoa

American Samoa Photo: RNZI

The legislature has approved a bill proposed by the Lolo government and the previous administration to increase the cigarette tax.

The House had voted for a tax of 25 cents per cigarette but the Senate has endorsed a higher tax and the house has since backed that as well.

A pack of cigarettes which now costs about $US5 will increase to up to $US9 per pack.