Enterprises that cigarette smokers are prepared to increase tax

Carrie Fitch and Lorraine Harvey did not know what to expect after Sunday. That's when the state cigarette tax will increase $ 1 to $ 1.98, prices that are beyond their control, but it can affect business in Discount Tobacco 4325 N. Sheridan Road, where they have just two people. "I hope not", Fitch said about the possibility that business will slow down. "But there were a lot of people say they would quit." Harvey, the assistant manager, predicts a slow summer, and a 50-50 chance that the shop is in the business. "This puts the damper at all," she said. Harvey plans to people to smoke less or quit as a whole, including her. She plans to use the nicotine patch, because smoking is too expensive. It is also about Harvey are crashing, people will get their cigarettes outside of Illinois. In Missouri, the state tax is only 17 cents, the lowest in the country. Illinois now has the 32nd-largest cigarette tax in the country, but it will be much higher than the average state tax $ 1.49 after Sunday. Mike Saurs, co-owner of Cornerstore on-Main, in the building of Becker, the same sentiments. "You just send a business from Illinois," he said. Preparation for the Sunday led to some business discount tobacco as customers try to stock up on cigarettes. But distributors are not able to keep up with demand. The judge ruled last week that the state can not limit the number of cigarette tax stamps that distributors can buy. , To create something like a gold rush for the brand in the next few days, but at a discount tobacco is still not enough to order. Store received only 127 boxes on Thursday, Harvey said he is far from 200 to 225 boxes, he usually gets in the party. Customers are limited to two blocks, until the tax takes effect. "It will be a zoo here," said Harvey. But while businesses can compete with the growth, health advocates promote it as a way to raise the cash-strapped state revenues and reduce smoking. "Each research organization that was looking at it ... came to the conclusion that the price increase is one of the most effective ways of reducing tobacco consumption, especially among young people," said Danny McGoldrick, vice president for research at Campaign for Tobacco Free Depending on children, a nationwide anti-smoking organization. The Panel finds that the growth will prevent Illinois 72 700 children to become smokers and cause 53,400 adults to quit smoking, while raising $ 350 million a year in new revenue. Governor Pat Quinn in favor of an increase as a way to offset the decline in Medicaid. McGoldrick hopes the low-tax states like Missouri, Illinois, and will follow up the ante. "This is the best solution for everyone."