Potential Cigarette Tax Increase

Smokers could see a potential tax increase in the future.

The American Lung Association is asking Ohio officials to increase the states tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.25.

We asked local smokers what they thought about the idea.

"I mean I don’t like it, it’s just a cheap way for the state to sit there and get more money," said smoker Christopher Jordon.

The Anti-smoking group released a study saying that the state could gain an additional $350 million a year in revenue if the cigarette tax was raised to $2.50

"I mean the state needs it, but it’s kind of unfair to the people who don’t smoke and to the people who do smoke, only a certain part of them are paying taxes," said smoker Daniel Linger.

"The state needs to learn to tighten it’s belt and stop spending so much on stuff it doesn’t need," said smoker Benjamin Barnes.

While some smokers would consider the idea of quitting due to costs, others say they’d just buy cigarettes for less in other states. Governor Ted Strickland opposes raising the tax on cigarettes.