Pocono News Section

Big Tobacco Tax Hike Starts Wednesday

Big Tobacco Tax Hike Starts Wednesday - Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 3:47PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 @ 03:47pm EST
DANVILLE, MONTOUR COUNTY- Smokers are getting ready to pay more for their nicotine fix. The largest federal tobacco tax increase will take effect Wednesday.

WYOU News stopped by Puff Tobacco Products in Danville, where smokers were busy buying everything before the price hike goes into effect.

The tax for a pack of cigarettes will climb from 39 cents to $1.01. Many smokers are fuming mad. Sandy Llewellyn of Danville said, “Why don’t they tax a lot of other things people use? Why is it just smokers they target? That’s what I'd like to know."

Kathleen Wegrzynowicz of Catawissa said, This is gonna be my last carton. For me. Not my husband, but for me, yes… Because of the tax I can't afford it."

The new tax is needed to pay for an expansion of health insurance that President Obama signed into law.