Tobacco News

State lawmakers’ recent vote to raise the South Carolina’s cigarette tax by 50 cents, now leaves state of Missouri with the nation’s lowest tax, at 17 cents.  Opinions we got about our state’s increase, are just as varied as the brands of smokes you can buy. Just ask Dee Tackett. When she is not answering the phones at the Piggly Wiggly on Forest Drive in Columbia, she’s ordering and stocking cigarettes. Marlboro lights in the box, short, are the top seller. now Marlboro Lights are called Marlboro Gold cigarettes.

“We go through six cartons every two days,” said Tackett.

She actually hopes South Carolina’s recent cigarette tax increase from seven cents per pack, to 57 cents per pack, slows her business.

“I know it’s not good for my job if it slows down, but it’s good for people’s health.”

People’s paycheck is what Rick Charles thinks lawmakers should have considered before the tax hike. He feels a steady increase would, better, clear the air. “I think for the working man and woman, it’s just too big of an increase at one time.  They should have gradually increased it,” said Charles.

Gradually is how Kyle Busby has tried to quit smoking for 10 years.  However, the higher tax was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He says he’s going to quit. It’s getting too expensive.”

Dee Tackett says she’s happy her co-worker, Kyle, is butting out of the smoking game. But she realizes, not everyone will, no matter the cost.

“If they’re gonna smoke, they’re gonna smoke.”