Baton Rouge, La (NBC33) — Anti-smoking advocates are promoting a bill that would increase tobacco tax by nearly 200 percent. Those people were on the steps of the capitol Monday to support state representative Howard Ritchie. His bill would increase tax on a pack of cigarettes by 70 cents.

Right now, the tax is 36 cents. If his bill were to pass, it would make the tax  $1.06.

The tobacco tax had a lot of opposition. Governor Bobby Jindal says any tax increases that hit his desk will be vetoed. The Louisiana Wholesalers say the tax would weaken the economy, put jobs at risk, and encourage out-of-state tobacco sales.