Tobacco Revenue Up

Source from:  KNWA Fayetteville 10/23/2009

Despite new taxes that raised the per-carton price for some cigarettes by 14 dollars, most Arkansas smokers seem undaunted. Though a few might have stopped lighting up, those still in the game are paying more. Now that behavior's expected to bring in $33 million more tax dollars than expected for fiscal year 2010. That's no surprise to many smokers and tobacco shop managers. They tell us that folks just seem to be switching to the cheapest brand on the shelf, instead of stopping. Calls into the state's tobacco cessation hot-line rose from 350 to 1,000 per week right after the new state and federal taxes were implemented. Program directors now say weekly call volume has dipped back down to 400. Enditem