The Omaha City Council has approved a 3 percent tax on cigarettes and tobacco products to help pay for a new University of Nebraska cancer center.

The council voted 5-2 on Tuesday to approve the new tax. Council members Jean Stothert and Franklin Thompson voted against it.

The original proposal would have imposed a 7 percent tax on tobacco sales in Omaha to help pay for the center. The measure has drawn criticism from Republican Gov. Dave Heineman.

The cancer center is scheduled for completion in 2016, but city leaders say it would have to change drastically without the revenue the cigarette tax will generate.