Texas House approves chewing tobacco tax cut

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas House members have approved a bill to lower a tax on loose-leaf chewing tobacco like Red Man and others brands despite the health risks.

The bill passed 83 to 53 Wednesday.

Republican Rep. Allan Ritter of Nederland says his bill is a "good thing" for "all of us that chew tobacco."

Ritter says the measure corrects a weight-based tax the Legislature levied in 2009 that penalized heavier loose-leaf tobacco.