Despite higher taxes, some still smoking

By By PAT BAILEY

Story Created: Jun 12, 2008 at 10:34 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 16, 2008 at 7:34 AM EST

Since state lawmakers increased the tax on a pack of cigarettes, the New York State smokers quit line has seen an increase in calls.

State officials who oversee the hot line say the call volume used to average 25-hundred per week, but since the tax increase last week, they are now taking over 10- thousand a week.

The increase on a pack of cigarettes took effect June 3rd, bumping the extra cost from $1.25 to $2.75 per pack - the highest in the U.S.

Despite that, some locally are still smoking, and doing whatever it takes to keep their weekly costs on cigarettes down.

"I go to the casino. So I spend $20 dollars on a carton." said Jennifer Monaghan, who was enjoying Saranac Thursday. "so I spend about $2 dollars a pack. But if I buy them locally it costs me an upwards of about $7 dollars a pack."

Throughout most of the state, cigarettes range between $6 and $8 a pack, and can cost as much as $10 in New York City.

People interested in quitting can call the New York State quit line at
1- 866 NY QUITS (1866- 697- 8487). There is also a website you can go to: www.nysmokefree.com
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