Cigarette Smoking: An Expensive Habit in Florida

Smokers, get ready to puff away extra monies, in addition to smoke, because starting today, there will be a $1.00 state tax increase on your cigarette purchase.

Currently at 34 cents, the new cigarette tax has increased to $1.34 under the "Protecting Florida's Health Act," which was passed to aid sagging state revenues. Unlike other states, Florida has no local taxes on cigarettes.

Boy, if this isn't a reason kick one's smoking habit, I don't know what is. I mean seriously, you'd think your own health would be reason enough to kick the habit, right? If a pack of cigarettes cost, let's say $5.00, the increase could bring the sale cost to, $6.34. Zoinks! And what if you're a chain smoker, who smokes multiple packs a day? So smokers pick your poison, withdraw from the addictive nicotine, or pay uncle Sam.