AUGUSTA — A coalition of health groups today urged lawmakers to increase the cigarette tax by a $1 per pack, saying the increase will encourage more people to quit smoking and generate more money for health programs.

Health Policy Partners of Maine, which includes heart, lung and cancer groups, also announced survey results that shows 76 percent of Mainers support a cigarette tax increase.

“Maine people understand the importance of high tobacco prices and are counting on their state legislators to use this powerful tool to reduce the physical and financial toll of tobacco use,” said Ed Miller, CEO of the American Lung Association in Maine.

Miller and others gathered in the Statehouse Hall of Flags to release the survey results of 400 Maine voters conducted by Critical Insights in Portland.

On the other side of the issue, Chris Jackson of the Maine Oil Dealers Association, said convenience stores represented by the association have been hurt by past tobacco tax increases.

“For small retailers, this is not about smoking or Dirigo Health, it’s about trying to stay competitive with our counterparts in New Hampshire,” he said.