How Will the Cigarette Tax Hike Affect You?

The per-price pack increased Sunday when the state tax more than doubled on them, thanks to a measure recently signed by Gov. Pat Quinn. The tax boost, which goes from the long-standing 98 cents a pack to $1.98, is expected to create an estimated $350 million in revenue while hopefully forcing some state residents to quit the habit, the Chicago Tribune reports. Read the full Chicago Tribune for more details about the cigarette tax increase.

But this could force state residents to buy their smokes from neighboring states and drop overall cigarette sales by about 20 percent, the Tribune report stated. Because of the lower tobacco tax rate in Will County, outlets or gas stations along 183rd Street in Tinley that sell cigarettes could see more Cook County customers crossing the borders to save money. Signs posted Saturday at the Speedway near 183rd Street and Harlem read "Stock up on cigarettes! Tax increase goes into effect tonight!"