included in the tax in 1864. Since the inception of the 

 tobacco excise, the total yield to the United States 

 Treasury through June, 1970, has been about $60 

 billion. 



The current federal rate on each package of 20 

 cigarettes is 8 cents. It was "temporarily" raised from 7 

 cents in 1952. 



The first cigarette tax was adopted in Maryland in 

 1958 at 3 cents per pack. It rose to 6 cents in 1961 and 

 has remained at that rate. 



In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, gross state 

 cigarette tax revenue came to $27,906,000. The tax was 

 paid on over 465 million packages of cigarettes sold in 

 the state. Other revenue derived from the industry in 

 Maryland comes from the state's sales tax, and land, 

 property and equipment taxes farmers must pay in 

 order to grow the crop. 



Maryland's tobacco production plays an important 

 role as part of the state's tremendously diversified econ- 

 omy. The history of tobacco in Maryland, dramatic as 

 it is, has intrigued, and continues to intrigue many a 

 historian. 



14 



