Source: wftv.com
From Wednesday, smokers will pay more for each puff as the state has imposed a new $1.00 tax on each pack of cigarettes.
The new state tax which is $1.34 comes on top of the federal tax which is $1.01. Some say that depending on the brand, a pack of cigarettes is more than $6.00.
State taxes on cigarettes increased from $0.34 a pack to $1.34 a pack.
A few smokers decided to stock up on Tuesday buying extra cartons of cigarettes. Alan Speelmen was one of those because he says he will not pay any more to smoke.
“Absolutely, unequivocally will not pay the tax,” said Speelmen.
Others suggest that smokers will look for ways to get around the increase tax either by getting cheaper smokes from purchasing cartons elsewhere, including the internet, or smokers rolling their own cigarettes.
The state collects some $430 million annually under the old cigarette tax regime. But that will change as it is anticipated that more than $600 million in additional revenues will be collected under the new state cigarette tax.
Cigarette Tax Hits Smokers, Merchants Hard
