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Generics, Which Now Cost $1.99, Would Go To $3.33 Per Pack. Marlboros Would Cost About $5.57.

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

From left: Owner Fred Blake prepares to pack an order of cigarettes as Bud Somers checks the total on the register to write a check at The Tobacco Pouch on Friday in Sebring.

By GARY PINNELL

Highlands Today

Published: February 7, 2009

SEBRING - It's noon Friday. Nichole Leary just lit a 305 and sat down on the black metal bench outside the food court at Lakeshore Mall.

A cigarette break provides some relief from the stress on a sales clerk at Bath & Body Works, and at night, when the kids are a little too much to handle.

Actually, Marlboros are her favorite brand.

"I just can't afford them," said Leary, 30. The last time she went to the store, 10 packs of 305s - a generic brand - cost her about $20 a carton.

"I love Marlboro Lights," she admitted, guilt in her voice. "Every time I go to the store, I always get a carton of 305s, and a pack of Marlboro Lights. I can tell the difference."

This is an inflationary economy, but nothing will rise faster in the next few months than the price of cigarettes.

Going Up

Kent, Max, Newport, True and other name-brand generics are going up $2 a carton today, said Fred Blake, owner of The Tobacco Pouch, 6450 U.S. 27 S., Sebring.

And that burns him up, because Blake thinks cigarette makers are piling on.

On Wednesday, President Obama signed a bill increasing the federal cigarette tax from 39 cents to $1 per pack.

Now, Florida lawmakers are thinking of raising the state cigarette tax to $1 per pack.

"Absolutely. It's more than a revenue issue," said Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera. "We hope that it does reduce smoking."

Democrats pushed for a $1 increase in the cigarette tax during the special session last month, but Republicans shot down the proposal, saying it wasn't the time to raise taxes. Now, as lawmakers in Tallahassee begin looking at next year's budget, more and more are saying they can't ignore ways to raise revenue.

State economists have already projected the state will have about $4 billion less to fund schools, health care and other government programs. The state cigarette tax is currently 33.9 cents per pack of common-sized cigarettes. In November 2008, state economists projected a $1 tax increase would bring $1 billion per year in extra revenue.

Florida collects the 46th lowest amount of taxes. Even North Carolina assesses more per pack.

With the proposed $1 increase, generics, which now cost $1.99, would go to $3.33 per pack. Marlboros would cost about $5.57.

But, Blake thinks, "It's an unfair tax. They are taking over personal decisions. If people want to smoke, they're going to smoke."

Blake, 65, a non-smoker, is afraid he'll be driven out of business. Is that a smokescreen?

Jim Narbone doesn't think so. He's the director of operations for Bebe's Tobacco. There's still a store across the shopping center from Sweetbay in Sebring, but Narbone said he's closed stores in Avon Park and Arcadia.

"Lack of business," he said

He and Blake agree that excessive cigarette taxes are harmful to their businesses. Narbone contends that doubling the price of cigarettes in such a short time will cause thefts, or that his customers will buy instead at the Seminole reservations in Brighton or Immokalee. If Florida charges an extra $1 a pack, their customers could buy from the Indians instead, and save $23.39 per carton.

And that means a black market could develop, Narbone speculated. Blake used to see it when he lived in the Northeast, where cigarette taxes are already over $2 per pack.

"I'm already seeing panic buying," Narbone said. People are stocking up to avoid the manufacturer's and the tax increases.

Narbone has no problem with the program for which the tax is earmarked - health care for children.

"No one can argue with health care for children. They need it. Everyone needs it. I need health care, and I don't have it," Narbone said. But it's unfair, he contended, to place the burden on the backs of smokers.

Will Nichole Leary quit buying cigarettes? She exhaled a final puff, snubbed out the butt, and rose to go back in the mall.

"I'm sure I will. In the future."

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report

CIGARETTE TAXES

TaxRank / Per Pack

New Jersey / 257.51

Rhode Island / 2462

Michigan / 2.004

U.S. median / 1.00-

Federal / 39-

Florida / 3.946

South Carolina / 751