New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan has vetoed a bill that would have made technical changes to tobacco tax laws, saying it exempts low-priced cigars from taxes.
Hassan says the bill expands the definition of "premium cigar" to include those that wholesale for less than $2.
In her veto message Friday, Hassan says as a matter of public health and fairness, she's proposed equal treatment for tobacco products during the last two budget cycles. But she says the bill moves in the opposite direction for cigars.
Hassan said while the bill makes important clarifying changes to tobacco tax laws for the Department of Revenue Administration, the changes are outweighed by negative health and fiscal impacts.