When the Connecticut tax on cigarettes first became 

 effective, in 1935, the rate was two cents per package 

 of 20. Since then the rate has been changed eight 

 times— once, in 1956, it was dropped a cent to three 

 cents— and increased again five times to its present rate 

 of 21 cents which became effective in July, 1971. Since 

 the inception of the tax tlie gross income from this 

 source to tlie state treasur\- tlnougli June 1971 totals 

 $275,190,000. 



Tlie entire \ icld from tlie cigarette tax now goes into 

 tlie state's General F'und. In addition to the cigarette 

 excise there is a use tax, a tax on retailers and distrib- 

 utors, and a license fee, applied to operators of auto- 

 matic dispensers, ranging from $10 for one machine to 

 $150 for 25 or more. 



As a segment of taxpayers, tobacco farmers in Con- 

 necticut contribute millions of dollars more through 

 taxes assessed locallv on properties and inventories. 



Ever since the initial years of the colonial period 

 tobacco held a place, eventually an important one, in the 

 economic and social life of Connecticut's inhabitants. 

 The course of its development to its current status was 

 accompanied by some features that are unique in the 

 long history of tobacco in America. 



T 



obacco rations 



The first Dutch and English settlers in Connecticut 

 were not entirely confined to competition in territorial 

 expansion. Both groups came from nations that were 

 then trying to live up to the reputation of being the 



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