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Some stores implement tobacco tax early

Reported by: Brent Solomon
Email: bsolomon@fox16.com
Last Update: 2/28/2009 9:52 pm
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Sunday is the dreaded day for smokers and tobacco users. A 56 cents sales tax takes effect in Arkansas. Customers are already complaining, not just because of the tax, but because it came early at some places.

"I think it's pitiful," says smoker Sean McAllister.

A trip to the local convenience store will soon mean paying more if you plan to light up. Sunday, the 56 cents state sales tax on cigarettes kick in. On top of a 62 cent federal tax increase effective April 1st.  An Exxon convenience store in Maumelle is seeing customers who aren’t excited a bit.

"Cigarettes are high enough now," McAllister said.

"A lot of them are saying they're going to quit. They're just really upset about it. They think it’s unfair,” said Mary Caples with the store.

To add fuel to the fire, some stores began charging extra before March 1st. The Maumelle Exxon implemented the tax on smokeless tobacco Saturday. A Phillips 66 on Stagecoach in Little Rock started taxing on cigarettes Saturday.  Some stores we spoke with say it's because shoppers aren’t the only ones being taxed.

"{Starting early is} to help make up for the losses because the next time we order, there's going to be extra taxes.  The wholesaler is going to be taxed more and in turn, it turns around unto the retailer,” Caples told us.

The tobacco tax will raise $85 million for nearly two dozen health programs and the first ever state trauma system. Employees at the Valero convenience store on Stagecoach in Little Rock say they won’t begin implementing the tax until Monday, March 2nd.
Copyright 2009 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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