State lawmakers are considering taxing cigarettes sold at so-called 'U-Roll-it' shops. Right now they are tax free.

The shops sell tobacco and wrappers separately meaning customers have to wrap them on their own.

Because the shops don't sell fully assembled cigarettes they don't have to charge the state's tobacco tax.

State lawmakers say that tax loophole is encouraging smokers to keep smoking.

The House Finance and Tax committee has approved a bill that would put a stop to the practice.

Two-and-a-half years ago, the federal government cracked down on u-roll-it shops, requiring cigarettes to be taxed just the same there as they are everywhere else.

But in response, many of the shops have teamed with on-site 'smoking clubs' that own the actual rolling machines.

Because the two businesses are technically separate, the tobacco tax doesn't have to be charged.