Cigarette taxing could be 'incentive to quit'
Smokers upset at proposed increase from Blagojevich
Brian Gartlan/ Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/21/05 Section: News
Brian Wolf, a sophomore art education major, has wanted to quit smoking for a long time but never had the incentive, but now Gov. Rod Blagojevich may provide it.
Blagojevich suggested a new cigarette tax in his proposed budget for the 2006 fiscal year to help save money.
According to a press release from the governor's office, the proposed increase in cigar and cigarette tax by 75 cents per pack will produce an estimated revenue of more than $150 million, a portion of which will go towards health care.
"I think it's outrageous," Wolf said. "We're already taxed higher (for cigarettes) than surrounding states."
Wolf said he has tried to quit smoking at least eight different times through medication, patches and the cold turkey method.
Other students who smoke can see the rationale behind Blagojevich's proposal but don't necessarily support it.
"No matter how much I enjoy smoking, I know it's bad for me," said Jim Scanlan, a sophomore business management major. "I can't afford to smoke as it is, but I'm still addicted."
He said he borrows cigarettes to carry on his habit most of the time.
"I seem to start in the fall when school starts," he said. "I use it to reduce stress."
But Scanlan feels the proposal will hurt businesses in Illinois towns located along the state border because people will cross the border to buy cigarettes and end up taking revenue from Illinois.
Wolf said paying an additional 75 cents per pack would make him less likely to loan cigarettes to anyone else.
"It's definitely my incentive to quit completely," Scanlan said.
Blagojevich suggested a new cigarette tax in his proposed budget for the 2006 fiscal year to help save money.
According to a press release from the governor's office, the proposed increase in cigar and cigarette tax by 75 cents per pack will produce an estimated revenue of more than $150 million, a portion of which will go towards health care.
"I think it's outrageous," Wolf said. "We're already taxed higher (for cigarettes) than surrounding states."
Wolf said he has tried to quit smoking at least eight different times through medication, patches and the cold turkey method.
Other students who smoke can see the rationale behind Blagojevich's proposal but don't necessarily support it.
"No matter how much I enjoy smoking, I know it's bad for me," said Jim Scanlan, a sophomore business management major. "I can't afford to smoke as it is, but I'm still addicted."
He said he borrows cigarettes to carry on his habit most of the time.
"I seem to start in the fall when school starts," he said. "I use it to reduce stress."
But Scanlan feels the proposal will hurt businesses in Illinois towns located along the state border because people will cross the border to buy cigarettes and end up taking revenue from Illinois.
Wolf said paying an additional 75 cents per pack would make him less likely to loan cigarettes to anyone else.
"It's definitely my incentive to quit completely," Scanlan said.
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