Cook County (IL) increases cigarette tax by $1/pack

[Bill Godshall]

Cook County (IL) Commissioners approve $1/pack cigarette tax hike
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-cook-county-budget-20121110,0,5134858.story

This will result in more cigarette smuggling into Cook County, more cross border cigarette sales in adjacent counties, and more e-cigarettes to be sold in Cook County, which includes Chicago.

 

[RippleInStillWater]

Jeez, they are already $10/pack there, wth......well, it is a notoriously corrupt and top-heavy administration there....

 

[zapped]

Even though I'm now a non-smoker this has always upset me.How is that fair taxation in any way shape or form? People should be thanking smokers for willingly taking on a higher burden of taxes than anyone else.

I dont see anyone being taxed at a higher rate because they are morbidly obese.

 

[Tiffany Smeggin Peak]

i THINK that in illinois they atleast purposed a tax on junk food, to help pay for medicare. Also, i think that there have been proposals to stop people from buying junk food with their food stamps cards. I guess that taxing stinkies more will help more people save their health, but in the same time, what will they do when 90% of smokers quit... then I think they will start taxing other things...

 

[VapApe]

Jeez, they are already $10/pack there, wth......well, it is a notoriously corrupt and top-heavy administration there....

I see a black market heading their way if not already in place.

 

[Fiamma]

Wow, just like that. Well that will be good for the big vapers meet in April 2013. We should see a bunch of new vapers at vape Bash ; )

April 12 and 13th in Chicago. Rosemont Hotel out by O'Hare.

 

[fooey]

counterfeit cigs is already a problem in the city, and this will just drive that market way up. i dont see how they can continue to use deterrance to justify for extra tax dollars. i swear these politicians are trying to kill smokers. this is unbelievable.

I see a black market heading their way if not already in place.

 

[mostlyclassics]

I see a black market heading their way if not already in place.

Back when I smoked cigarettes, the tax differential between Cook County and Lake County, immediately north, was $12.00 per carton. Every three weeks I'd make a 14-mile smokes run to Lake County for six cartons. The $72.00 differential on six cartons made the run worthwhile. And now that differential would be $132.00! Just wow!

 

[Stubby]

Isn't this the home of some notorious bootleggers in a bygone era?

That's a rhetorical question of course.

 

[Loveridden]

Yeah my dad heard about this and says he's gonna have to quit cold turkey because of it

First of all, he refuses to give ecigs a try, and secondly, he thinks he can quit cold turkey.....sigh.

My dad smokes 2-3 packs a day, at LEAST.

 

[qccraig]

I have a friend I went to college with that works for a tobacco company in Tennessee. He tells me all the time that he loves his job because the customers are addicted to the product and the government is addicted to the sin tax revenue. This county tax increase only hurts the poor people who get a little enjoyment from life by smoking. Our government leaders should be proud, God forbid they spend a little less.

 

[Bill Godshall]

The good news is that everytime cigarette taxes go up, e-cigarette sales go up in that jurisdiction.