Tobacco users and shop owners feel burned by a new levy that makes the habit even more costly.
Jump to full article: Maine Today, 2009-02-28
Author: BETH QUIMBY, Staff Writer
Intro: Ken Jacobs made the switch to roll-your-own cigarettes a year ago to save money. With brand-name cigarettes going for $50 a carton, rolling his own cost only $8 to $10 for the same number of cigarettes.
But starting April 1, the roll-your-own cost will skyrocket because of a new federal tax on cigarettes and tobacco products.
"It's outrageous. It's insane," said Jacobs, who lives in Portland and was smoking Friday on Congress Street. . . .
Some smokers and smoke shop owners say the tax is unfair, while health organizations are hailing the legislation. The American Lung Association of New England says tobacco use will drop in Maine and other states because of the federal tax.
Courtney King, association spokeswoman, said the adult smoking rate is 20.2 percent in Maine and the high school rate is 14 percent. King said the double whammy of the tax increase and the recession could help accelerate the quit rate.
"But we don't have any hard facts," she said.
Maine Revenue Services predicts the federal tax will result in a $10 million drop in revenue from lost state taxes as smokers either choose to quit, smoke less or obtain tobacco tax-free over the Internet
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