Cigarette tax increase starts today

Mississippi's new cigarette tax is estimated to generate more than $113 million for the year that begins July1.

The Mississippi State Tax Commission has spent the past several days telling distributors and stores how to handle paperwork for the new 68 cent per pack cigarette tax that starts today. But as MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports the new tax is leaving a bad taste in the mouths of some some retailers and smokers.

At B and B Tobacco Shop in Flowood, owner Chuck Pace is concerned that the new 50cents per pack cigarette tax will drive away business.

“I have a lot of people that come from other states, Texas, Louisiana that have came in and bought something that say they won’t be back. So you know not only have they alienated all of our local states that were coming in here consuming where we could collect the taxes. But ah all we did was say never mind. Cause whose gone drive over here for a dollar savings? It’s not worth it.”

Even though 70 year old Wayne Cole of Brandon only drives a few blocks for his favorite brand. He says he'd rather quit cold turkey than pay the extra tax

“I usually buy ‘em by the carton but I don’t intend to pay the taxes that are being asked for us to pay. And I hope these are the last I buy.”

Supporters of the new tax hope the additional tax will prompt more smokers to quit and prevent youth from getting starting. Anita Bales is with the American Cancer Society.

“Research that’s out there has proven that they are almost instantly addicted. And it just does so many detrimental things to your health. And ah, we’re already seeing that smoking has placed such a huge burden on our healthcare and if we can just do away with this one thing I believe it will be the best thing that’s ever happened to the population of Mississippi.”
The cigarette tax is estimated to generate more than $113 million for the year that begins July 1.
For MPB news, I'm Lawayne Childrey.