Oklahoma smokers getting ready for an increase in the price of tobacco

When the ball drops on New Years Eve, the price of tobacco in Oklahoma will go up. That's because Oklahoma's cigarette tax takes effect January 1st. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Omar Villafranca

Thursday, December 30th 2004, 9:59 am

By: News On 6

When the ball drops on New Years Eve, the price of tobacco in Oklahoma will go up. That's because Oklahoma's cigarette tax takes effect January 1st.

News on 6 reporter Omar Villafranca has more on what retailers and doctors are saying about the tax hike. Anti-smoking groups hope the extra cost drives people to kick the habit. Tobacco retailers hope the tax won't kick them out of business. There' s a line outside the Firewalker Smoke Shop in Tulsa.

The cash registers are burning up as smokers rush to stock up before price increase. Smokeshop owner George Carter: "Yesterday and today we started feeling it. And we've stocked up for it, you know and we look for a big sale between now and Friday."

Come Saturday, Oklahoma's new tobacco tax becomes law, pushing the price of a pack of cigarettes up almost 55-cents. A carton could go up as much as $8. That's not including the price hike cigarette makers are adding to offset the tax.

Anti-smoking advocates working with the state say the price will cause certain puffers to quit. Dr. Stephanie Cobble:" Everyone's going to be hit hard. As I mentioned before, the youth and the pregnant women are probably going to be hit the hardest. They are most likely to quit smoking because of the expense."

Dr. Cobble hopes a combination of higher prices and New Year's resolutions will cause 20,000 people in the state to kick the habit. Cigarette vendors say they'll take a financial hit, but will still have customers. George Carter: "No, your smokers are going to smoke. Now you got your borderline smokers, people that, you know, they'll quit, but your smokers are going to smoke. I don't care how high they get, they're going to smoke." Under the current deal, the price per pack of smokes will go up 55-cents. But that could change.

The Creek Nation received a 30-day extension and is still negotiating with the state. If they get a better deal, it could change the price per pack. Smoke shops are keeping a close eye on those negotiations.