Latest cigarette tax increase (MA) from 2.51 to 3.51 pack, about $10/pack now
As the Commonwealth of Massachusetts began collecting an additional dollar from cigarette smokers via a tax increase Wednesday, the reaction on the streets of Springfield was mixed.
To David Glantz, owner of Buckeye Bros. Smoke Shop on Main Street in the South End, the increase -- from $2.51 to $3.51 in tax per pack -- represents a potential threat to his sales. Glantz said that as name-brand cigarettes like Marlboros and Newports rise to about $10 a pack, he expects to take a financial hit.
"If they were raising the taxes in all states at the same time, it would be one thing. But so many people will just travel to New Hampshire where the taxes are less and stock up rather than buying locally, I'll probably lose some business," Glantz said. "Plus, you have people going to Westover (Air Reserve Base) and having someone with a base pass buy them there to avoid the state taxes. It just isn't fair for stores like mine."
Springfield resident Jon Athan, 27, says he's smoked for about six years and he feels the tax increase is exploiting people with addictions.
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/07/western_massachusetts_resident.html
Now if we would just raise the gas tax that much (killing the earth with fossil fuels), fast food (a desire not a need), alcohol (bad for health, contributes to crime), soda and anything other than tap water (bad for you, uses fossil fuels to make and transport), etc we would be not only consistent but we would all be happier.
= new reply since forum marked as read
the bond store sold us cartons of cigarettes for about 8 or 9 dollars .,, i've never smoked so I don't know how many packs were in each - but there were quite a few ..
we also could buy 1 Litre Black Label Whisky for $13 and a 24 beer case ( Henieken and like) for about 6 bucks ..
those were the days
