Bootlegging under scrutiny in MS

Revenue agents are on the look out for bootleggers.

No, this isn't a line from the 50's or Smokey and the Bandit, it is from this week. Tennessee revenue agents are cracking down on those who come buy cigarettes and beer in Mississippi and bring them back to Tennessee. This is done because the wide discrepancy in sales/excise taxes on these "sin" items. Tennessee has a 44 cent higher tax on cigarettes which is apparently driving Tennessee residents south to Mississippi to buy their smokes in locations such as Olive Branch, Southaven and Corinth. Perhaps having a lower cigarette and alcohol tax does help entice out of state purchases and therefore more tax money for the state.