PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5864)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Sep 19, 2017
Tobacco Tax Equity Act of 2017
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the excise tax on tobacco products, to tax pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco products, and large cigars at the same level as cigarettes.
The bill revises the definition of "tobacco products," for purposes of such tax, to include any other product determined to be a tobacco product by the Food and Drug Administration. The bill also specifies that such products must be taxed at a level equivalent to the rate for cigarettes on an estimated per use basis.
The bill also makes smokeless tobacco products sold in discrete single-use units subject to an excise tax of $50.33 per thousand.
The tax rates for tobacco products must be adjusted for inflation after 2017.
People & committees
Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] · D–IL
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5864)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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