Under a new bill introduced in the state senate, taxes on a pack of cigarettes in Washington state would go from three dollars to four.

State Senator Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue) introduced Senate Bill 6166, calling it a critical public health measure. It would also raise around $40 million in revenue annually.

"A portion of that revenue that comes in will then go into programs that help folks quit and keep kids from ever starting to smoke," said Lucy Culp with the American Heart Association. They estimate the tax increase alone will result in around 20,000 adult smokers quitting and would prevent 24,400 Washington youth from starting.

"We know that especially youth are very price sensitive, so just a small increase can really keep kids from ever having that second cigarette," Culp said.

According to a poll released by the organization, roughly 64 percent of eligible voters would support the tax increase.

Brandi Kruse, 97.3 KIRO FM