By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – A judge has ruled a tobacco tax in seven Jefferson County cities is unconstitutional. The tax was 10 cents per pack of cigarettes, per pack of cigars or per can of snuff...it brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the county and the cities of Bessemer, Hoover, Trussville, Homewood, Hueytown, Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook. Circuit Judge Dan King ruled that any money collected should be paid to the Bessemer Division Circuit Court Clerk's Office. But a final hearing is set for August fifth to determine what will become of the money. Lawyers for Jefferson County have asked that the money go to Cooper Green Hospital to treat indigent residents who suffer from tobacco-related illnesses. At least one city official says an appeal is possible.