February 10th, 2009

Reports the York Dispatch  in an article about York County residents’ reaction to the cigarette tax increase implemented to pay for an expansion to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program:

Michelle Fickling said she doesn’t mind doing what she can to help children, but paying an extra 62 cents whenever she buys a pack of cigarettes is a bit much.

…

Signed into law Wednesday by President Barack Obama, the SCHIP expansion will allow about 7 million children to continue coverage through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and allow an additional 4 million to sign up.

The legislation also provides an additional $32.8 billion through Sept. 30, 2013, by increasing federal excise taxes on tobacco products.

The tax on cigarettes will go up 62 cents to $1.01 a pack, effective March 31.

U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and Robert Casey Jr., D-Pa., and Rep. Todd Platts, R-York County, all voted in favor of the bill.

…

Another customer, Bryson Way, said that expanding SCHIP is a “nice thing to do.” While some smokers may balk at the tax increase, they’ll still pay the price to smoke, he said.

Read more at the York Dispatch.