BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ The North Dakota House has defeated a measure to increase the state's cigarette tax from 44 cents a pack to $1.
The House also defeated a measure Monday that would have required cigarette distributers to place revenue stamps on cigarettes to track them.
Rep. Eliot Glassheim introduced the bill to raise tax on a pack of cigarettes. The Grand Forks Democrat is a former smoker and says raising the price on a pack of cigarettes acts as an incentive to quit smoking.
State and federal data show North Dakota ranks 46th among states in the amount of tax smokers pay. New York charges the most state excise tax in the nation at $4.35.