62 reasons to review the habit

Starting on April, 1, every smoker across the US would definitely think about giving up smoking because each pack of cigarettes would cost them 62 cents more.

According to the bill signed by President Barack Obama on February, 4, enters into effect on April’s Fools Day would increase the federal excise tax on cigarette by 62 cents, making up $1,01 federal tax for each pack, excluding the price and state taxes that vary from state to state.

The generated revenue would be used to funding Children’s Health Insurance Program providing medical insurance to around 4 million uninsured minors.

Therefore, after a week Cleveland smokers will have to make a choice either to pay up to $6 for a pack of premium class cigarettes and around $4.50 for the discount brands or search for other options to obtain cigarettes. Yet, the simplest decision according to various anti-smoking organizations is definitely to give up smoking.

Green Day Convenience Store Sales Manager Karen Pose considers the store’s cigarette sales to be reduced up to a half because the price has become simply unreal to bear.    

The sales manager said that she had warned all of her regular customers about the upcoming tax increase and the majority of them told her that they were going to quit after April, 1. She mentioned that the state government raised state excise tax on cigarettes couple of months ago and with the federal tax increase smokers would have to pay almost $2.50 just in taxes. And don’t forget that major manufacturers like Phillip Morris have also raised the prices.

Mrs. Pose also admitted that those customers, who decided to continue smoking, told her that they were going to switch to less expensive brands like the 305s and others.  According to Pose, only a very small number of her customers would continue buying expensive brands like Marlboro.

One of Green Day Convenience Store visitors Carmelo Jameson said the price would not discourage him from smoking. He named the government policy as “simply nut”, but confessed that he would cut other expenses instead of giving up.

Chris Black, the Public Health Department communications manager cited the results of a state survey that showed 22 percent of Ohio residents have been smoking in 2006. He said the Health Department welcomed the federal tax hike since it is the best reason for smokers to kick down their habit. 

According to Mr. Black, the high price would deter up to 100,000 Ohio minors from starting smoking and also contribute to almost 50 thousands of adult smokers giving up smoking.

Public Health Department communications manager stated that giving up smoking is not only good for the health but as well for the wallet.

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids also welcomed tax increase since it would affect young Americans the most because they have had less available income and could not afford to buy cigarettes at high prices.

At the mean time, co-owner of Smoking Center in Columbus, Taylor Cott complained that the forthcoming tax increase would ruin his business. He said that his small store has been the only source of income for his big family including 4 underage children and after April, 1 he probably would be forced to get out of that business.  

Cott admitted that actual economic downfall as well as the enormous cigarette prices would surely make smokers quit. He said he understands smokers since if they faced a choice of either to buy cigarettes or bread they would definitely select the second variant.