Now that the state budget has been signed, those affected are getting a look at how the spending plan will affect them.
For some tobacco users it's going to mean higher prices to take a drag.
At least one smoker wasn't happy Monday when she bought her cigarettes. She found out soon she will be paying more for every pack she buys because of a new cigarette tax included in the new state budget.
"I am not going to be smoking that much. Instead of a carton a week I'll go down to half," the woman said.
Dealers said although the price of a pack of cigarettes is going up by 25 cents a pack, the price of a pack of small cigars, is going up by $1.60 a pack.
"I don't like it but there is nothing I can do about it. It's just not fair. I personally do not smoke but it's not fair. They target them all the time. I am sure there was a way they could have done something different," said Doretta Jones of Jones News Agency.
At the Cigar Box near Hazleton, people said smokers always seem to be targets when lawmakers are looking to make a quick buck.
"No matter how much money the government brings in, it's never enough. Six months from now, they will be in a deficit again and be looking for more money," said Tom Trella of the Cigar Box.
The state tax increase on cigarettes and small cigars comes a few months after a hike in federal taxes.
"This item retailed for $10 but because of President Obama's tax, this one bag carries a tax of $26.75," Trella added.
Cigarette dealers said they are awaiting word from the state as to when the higher prices will take effect.
For some tobacco users it's going to mean higher prices to take a drag.
At least one smoker wasn't happy Monday when she bought her cigarettes. She found out soon she will be paying more for every pack she buys because of a new cigarette tax included in the new state budget.
"I am not going to be smoking that much. Instead of a carton a week I'll go down to half," the woman said.
Dealers said although the price of a pack of cigarettes is going up by 25 cents a pack, the price of a pack of small cigars, is going up by $1.60 a pack.
"I don't like it but there is nothing I can do about it. It's just not fair. I personally do not smoke but it's not fair. They target them all the time. I am sure there was a way they could have done something different," said Doretta Jones of Jones News Agency.
At the Cigar Box near Hazleton, people said smokers always seem to be targets when lawmakers are looking to make a quick buck.
"No matter how much money the government brings in, it's never enough. Six months from now, they will be in a deficit again and be looking for more money," said Tom Trella of the Cigar Box.
The state tax increase on cigarettes and small cigars comes a few months after a hike in federal taxes.
"This item retailed for $10 but because of President Obama's tax, this one bag carries a tax of $26.75," Trella added.
Cigarette dealers said they are awaiting word from the state as to when the higher prices will take effect.
