College Researcher Featured in WLKY Video on Push to Raise Kentucky's Cigarette Tax

The Coalition for Smoke Free Tomorrow is holding a news conference Tuesday in Frankfort.

They said nearly 21 percent of Kentucky women smoke during pregnancy, which is more than two-and-a-half times the national rate.

The group argues raising cigarette taxes is a proven way to reduce smoking.

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted last week to recommend the tax increase. But right now there's no bill for the committee.

Kentucky's current cigarette tax is $0.60 a pack, which is one of the lowest in the nation.

Tobacco causes nearly 9,000 deaths each year in Kentucky, where a quarter of the population smokes.