Cigarettes Getting More Expensive

On February 4th President Obama signed into legislation a $.61 federal cigarette tax increase to expand the coverage of the SCHIP children insurance program. The new tax increase will take effect on April 1st.

But many cigarette companies are already raising their prices ahead of the April 1st deadline. This week Phillip Morris raised their price per pack by $.71, $.10 above the federal increase. This price increase is in addition to the $.09 price increase the company implemented in February of this year. This new increase brings the price of Marlboros in Indiana to $5.05 up from $4.25 per pack. Channel 6, the Indy Channel, has a good report about Hoosiers responses to this new increase: http://www.theindychannel.com/news/18904870/detail.html.

Raising cigarette taxes is a good thing, studies have shown that when the price increases more individuals quit smoking because it becomes too expensive, especially in this economy. Studies have also shown that when cigarettes cost more fewer youth are likely to start smoking because they become too expensive for them.

So, has the new prices motivated you to quit? If so, call 1-800-Quit-N0w (1-800-784-8669) for two weeks of free patch or gum and free telephone counselling. You can also check out the Smoke Free Indy Cessation Resource page for a list of local quit smoking classes and providers.