New cigarette tax starts Jan. 1

December 27, 2006 If Baytown’s smoking ban doesn’t keep residents from lighting up, the new state tax on cigarettes might convince them to kick the habit. The state is adding $1 to the excise tax on cigarettes beginning Jan. 1, making the total tax $1.41 for a pack of cigarettes instead of 41 cents. While some smokers are upset about the extra money their habit will cost them, others are somewhat pacified by where the money is going. The extra funds will help decrease the amount of money that property owners pay for school taxes. “The fact that it is for the schools makes it better,” said Chad Garton. The Baytown resident and father recently quit smoking, but if he ever starts again, he will be less upset about paying the $1 tax since it helps the schools. “This is a good idea, but they should find a better way to do it,” he said. Dustin Hale agrees that the money is going toward something good, but he wishes the tax raise would have been slightly smaller. “It would be better if it were cheaper, maybe 50 cents, then I wouldn’t mind so much,” he said. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids estimated that the state will make about $252.3 million each year from the additional taxes. Individuals who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day or more will most likely contribute a minimum of $365 a year to that total estimate. Local businesses have noticed that more and more customers are buying cartons of cigarettes in multiples as a way to save the extra $10 they will spend on each carton beginning on Jan. 1. State officials are also hoping that the cost increase on cigarettes will help deter the next generation of would-be smokers. Campaign for Tobacco Free-Kids predicts the increased taxes will lead to an estimated 55,4000 less adult smokers. The organization also estimates that the added costs will prevent approximately 114,200 kids from becoming smokers. Texas will be the 16th most expensive state for smokers to live in.