Montgomery, Ala., Cigarette Tax Jumps 10 Cents.

Byline: William F. West

May 14--An intense debate over how to spend the money erupted Thursday after the Montgomery City Council voted to raise the cigarette tax from 2 cents to 12 cents a pack.

The city also will collect 10 percent per item selling price on other tobacco items, including cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco and snuff. The city had never before collected money on those items.

Thursday's vote was prompted by the state's desire to raise tobacco taxes statewide but limit the amount municipal governments can impose. The last day of the legislative session is Monday.

The city council argued over proposals and counter proposals …