State tobacco tax goes up today

By Jacob Power

August 2, 2000 Web posted at: 2:04 PM EDT (1804 GMT)

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana (The Town Talk) -- Smokers will pay a little extra to puff as a new state tobacco tax goes into effect today.

The state tax on cigarettes is increasing 4 cents per pack and 40 cents per carton beginning today.

The purpose is to increase revenue for the state.

"They're taking tobacco and they're not hiking up alcohol because there's more smokers than drinkers," said Johnny Thornhill of Dry Prong.

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Thornhill said the price of cigarettes would have to go considerably higher before he would quit.

Cigarettes now cost in the $2 to $3.50 per pack range.

Danny Brown, communications director for the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation, said, "The tax they (legislators) passed was on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco." "There is some federal tax on it (cigarettes), but our tax is 24 cents (per pack). It was part of the Legislature's plan to balance the budget. It's scheduled to bring in $14.7 million."

Brown said the state tax was 20 cents per pack of cigarettes before this increase.

Also taking effect is a 20 percent tax increase in the price of smokeless tobacco.

Even more price hikes are coming down the pike for smokers as cigarette manufacturers have announced that wholesale cigarette prices will increase by 6 cents per pack, probably resulting in an increase of 7 or 8 cents per pack at stores within the next few weeks.

Montgomery resident Lorrie Benoit doesn't think the new state tax is fair.

"They'll find a tax for anything. I think they need to find a better reason to tax people, something for teachers who educate our children and not on tobacco," Benoit said.

Trudy Ponthieux of Alexandria is in agreement, saying, "If they would use some of the taxes on our highways, that would be good. I think they need to leave cigarettes alone and tax other things." If the taxes would go toward something useful, Ponthieux said, then she would have no problem with paying them.

John Dandy of Alexandria said the new tax won't deter him or other smokers from puffing away.

"I'll find some way or another to find a way to smoke. Smokers are going to pay for it."

Dandy also said this about the new tax: "It's no good."

Businesses which sell cigarettes and tobacco products are not expecting a decrease in cigarette sales because of the tax.

Mike Moll, store manager for Smokers Paradise in Pineville, said, "Just 'cause it's Louisiana people are going to gripe about it, but I don't think it is going to affect business."

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