Bay State cigarette smokers will soon be paying another $1 per pack, a move that some fear could send more consumers over the New Hampshire border.

State lawmakers were debating the final version of a bill to increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes, a change that could take effect this week.

The House approved the measure yesterday by a 93-52 vote after a brief debate and sent the bill to the Senate, where it was also approved by a 26-9 tally.

Lawmakers were trying to rush the bill to Gov. Deval Patrick's desk in time for the tax to go into effect today, the start of the new fiscal year. That appeared unlikely, as Patrick said he wants to see the final version of the bill before deciding whether to sign it.

"I'm inclined to support it, but I want to read it first," Patrick said on his way into a meeting with legislative leaders.

Rep. Michael Costello, D-Newburyport, and Sen. Steven Baddour, D-Methuen, voted against the measure. Rep. Harriet Stanley, D-West Newbury, did not vote.

Baddour initially supported the tax after the Senate added a provision that would have ended a 1945 law setting minimum prices for cigarettes. For example, Massachusetts retailers can't sell a pack of Marlboros for less than $4.97. The punishment is a $500 fine.

"It negates any price increase and protects the stores on the New Hampshire border," Baddour said of eliminating the minimum price earlier this year.

Under the new version, the minimum prices will remain in effect.

Opponents of this version say the measure unfairly targets one group of people and will hurt small Massachusetts businesses that sell cigarettes close to the New Hampshire border.

"You hear that sound?" Rep. George Peterson, R-Grafton, said, putting his hand to his ear during the House debate. "That's the big sucking sound as people travel over the border to buy their cigarettes."

Supporters say the tax increase would help raise $174 million in revenue. They say the extra money will help cover the cost of the state's landmark health care law.

They also defended taking up the final version of the bill one day before the tax was intended to take effect.

"Among those who sell cigarettes ... this has been an issue that has been the talk within the industry for many, many weeks," said Rep. William Straus, D-Mattapoisett.

Rep. Paul Frost, R-Auburn, said the dollar-per-pack increase means a carton of cigarettes in Massachusetts will end up costing $15 more in taxes than a carton in New Hampshire.

He said it's unfair to try to balance the budget by targeting smokers unable to quit.

"Why are we doing this? We're picking on a certain group of people who are addicted to cigarettes," he said.

The cigarette tax was part of a larger package that included the closing of several so-called business tax "loopholes."

Lawmakers opted to deal with the loopholes later so they could rush through the cigarette tax hike first.

How local lawmakers voted:

House:

Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, D-Methuen%Y

Rep. Michael Costello D-Newburyport%N

Rep. Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill%N

Rep. Barry Finegold, D-Andover%Y

Rep. William Lantigua, D-Lawrence%Y

Rep. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover%Y

Rep. Harriett Stanley, D-West Newbury%NV

Rep. David M. Torrisi, D-North Andover%N

Rep. Anthony Verga, D-Gloucester%Y

Rep. Bradley H. Jones, R-North Reading%N

Rep. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich%N

Senate:

Sen. Steven A. Baddour, D-Methuen, N

Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, R-Gloucester, N

Sen. Susan C. Tucker, D-Andover, N

Y means a vote for the cig tax; N means against; NV means absent, not voting