POSTED: Monday, March 30, 2009 - 6:28pm
UPDATED: Thursday, April 8, 2010 - 1:46am
TYLER-An increase in federal taxes will have you paying more to take a puff.
It all begins Wednesday and smokers we spoke to say they're not looking forward to it.
"Buy early, Stock up" that's what Tobacco Junction employees in Tyler are telling their customers.
"They're pretty upset over this increase," Tobacco Junction employee Mary Donley said. "It's a federal increase and there's really nothing we can do about it."
Beginning Wednesday when you go to tobacco stores like the Junction you're going to be in for a real surprise. Major cigarette makers already raised their prices just a few weeks ago to cover any potential lost profits once the per-pack tax climbs from 39 cents to $1.01.
Other tobacco products, from cigars to pipes and smokeless, will also be more expensive.
Knowing they're going to have to pay more, customers we spoke to are buying in bulk.
When it comes to roll-your-own, Donley is even teaching her customers how to store their tobacco so it can last them up to eight months.
"Over the weekend we had two customers that spent more than $400.00 each," Donley said.
Others are buying at least 10 cartons of cigarettes at a time, she said.
Not only are smokers being socked with the tax increase, Congress is also considering legislation to allow the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco.