The Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee on Thursday approved increasing the state cigarette tax by an additional $.75 per pack. The measure, part of the budget bill, now goes to the full legislature for approval.

Research shows that as the price of cigarettes increases, the prevalence of smoking decreases. Fewer kids become addicted and more smokers quit. After the April 1 federal tax increase, many Wisconsin smokers turned to the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line for help with quitting.