Senator will introduce bill for tax hike on cigarettes

If you’ve been thinking about trying to quit smoking here’s another reason to kick the habit.. A pack of cigarette may soon cost you more.

The state is talking about hiking the cigarette tax.

It’s coming from Grand Island Senator Mike Gloor. He plans to introduce the bill in the upcoming Nebraska legislative session. The bill will more than double the current tax on cigarettes.

From Camels to Marlboros – a planned to be proposed bill will hike up the tax on your favorite pack of smokes from 64 cents to $1.99.

“I think they’re trying to make it as inconvenient as possible,” said Mac Rundle, Midtowne Mart.

That’s the idea.

Senator Mike Gloor said he’s introducing the bill to hopefully discourage future smokers and the extra tax dollars will be used to lessen the blow on state health care from cuts it’s currently facing.
And its not just cigarettes. The tax hike applies to cigars and all tobacco products except snuff.

Mac Rundle is the manager at Midtowne Mart in Hastings. He said it’s an old tune; it’s not the first time lawmakers hiked the tax on cigs.
The State did it in 2004. The Feds did it again in 2009.

It’s not great but it’s never affected business.

“I think people who smoke will pay whatever it costs. They’re not going to let any amount of money get in the way of smoking,” said Rundle.

But ask someone like David Kobelnz. Smoker for 30 years. Lights up a pack a day. What’s an extra $1.35 a box?

“it’s costly, its costly,” said Kobelnz.

He said he might cut his habit down a bit, but he admits, the last time the price of sticks went up, it didn’t slow him down.

“I see your point. It’s probably not going to change it now, but it’s a big increase for all at once,” said Kobelnz.

Remember this bill still needs to be introduced. It still has a long way to go before taking effect.

And Senator Gloor told News 5 the cigarette tax in neighboring states like South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas are much higher than the proposed one.