GOP lawmaker: Hike tobacco tax

ATLANTA - A Republican lawmaker plans to call for a $1 per pack increase to Georgia's tax on cigarettes.

State Rep. Ron Stephens, of Savannah, will appear at a news conference Tuesday with advocates who support the increase. The call for the tobacco tax hike comes as the state wrestles with a budget shortfall expected to top $2 billion for the current fiscal year.

Georgia would not be alone if it moves to raise the tax. The governors of Virginia and Kentucky - both big tobacco producing states have proposed raising their cigarette taxes to help offset budget gaps.

Georgia last boosted its cigarette tax in 2003 when it hiked the surcharge by 25 cents a pack. It was facing a budget crunch that year as well.