Oklahoma cigarette tax increase helps fill Arkansas coffers

Tuesday, January 24th 2006, 5:15 pm

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- A fiscal officer for the state of Arkansas says an increase in Oklahoma's cigarette tax last year helped bump Arkansas' cigarette tax revenue by about $4-million.

Cigarette tax collections rose from more than $125-million in 2004 to more than $129-million last year in Arkansas.

Oklahoma raised its cigarette tax from 23 cents to a $1.03 a pack. In Arkansas the tax is 59 cents a pack.

John Theis -- with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration -- said that helped draw Oklahomans across the border to buy cigarettes in Arkansas.