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N.S. to hike cigarette tax by $5 per carton 

Smokers in Nova Scotia will pay a total of $23 million more a year in tobacco taxes as the provincial government tries to curb tobacco use among teens while fattening its coffers.

The increase of $5 a carton -- or 62 cents a pack -- takes effect Wednesday.

Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald said Tuesday the government's aim is to decrease smoking, primarily among young people, and downplayed the windfall to the treasury.

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