(INDIANAPOLIS) – A proposed tax hike on Indiana's cigarette tax has been blocked.

Supporters of boosting the State's cigarette tax say they are frustrated with the decision by state Senate Republicans to drop any increase from their state budget plan being released this week.

The move stripping the 50 cents per pack increase included in the Indiana House budget bill is the latest rejection of a cigarette tax hike by Republicans who dominate the Senate. They have blocked for several years any increase in the current 99.5 cents per pack rate that was last raised in 2007.

A coalition of health and business groups has pushed for a $2 per pack increase, saying it would help drive down Indiana's smoking rate that is the fourth highest in the country.