I was at my local C store the other day and the young man behind the counter said that cigarettes will cost $6.00 starting next month. Is this dependent on some sort of law/taxation being voted on or is this a sure thing?
You might want to mention where you are…
If the tax starts next month (i.e. three days from now), then I think it’s safe to say that it’s already been voted on and is a sure thing. Texas is increasing their tax by $1.00/pack, effective January 1st. Is that where you’re from?
His profile says Southern Illinois, I googled around and could find no current talk about a hike in tobacco taxes. Here in AZ there was a recent increase voted in, and believe me, it was talked around. What I found was the reasons for voting down a statewide tobacco tax increase in 2005 for the 06 budget, and talk how Cook county and Chicago have higher taxes than the rest of the state.
I think Hazle may have run into a clerk trying to run up sales with scare talk.
“Better buy more bread, too. It’ll be $10 a loaf next month, because genetically altered wheat will destroy all the normal kind.”
When I quit smoking (7 years ago, nearly), cigarettes in Alberta were already over $7.00 a pack. I’m surprised they’re so cheap down here.
Assuming this is Illinois, the state tax per pack is $0.98. This is probably what you pay now, and lets you figure out what the pre-tax amount is. At this moment, Cook County is the only county that is allowed to raise the cigarette tax on their own. They have done so twice since 2004, so it’s now $2 per pack. In addition, Chicago has a $0.68 tax. (So, that’s $3.66 per pack in Chicago.)
Now, in November, the House voted to allow all the counties to raise the cigarette tax. The Senate will vote on it in the January lame duck session. If it passes, DuPage County will definitely add a $1 tax. Other counties may follow since it’s easy money.
So, not a set thing yet.
And this is a list of the places with highest tobacco taxes, which isn’t that relevant but is really interesting:
Meanwhile, a pack of Marlboro Reds is still $3 here in the great state of Kentucky.
Your Google Fu is much stronger than mine. I shame myself in GQ.
Look around for the reservation smokes, they generally cost pennies on what you spend now.
Declan
I was just at an Indian casino in NV and their smoke shop had an announcement posted that prices would increase Jan 1.