Cigarettes went up April 1st,2009, by at least $6/carton, all across the USA - the carton that used to cost me $12 + tax are now $18 + tax. This was a government-mandated increase - the retailers had no choice. Smokers all over the USA are filing complaints with their government representatives. Why don't the do that with alcohol?!

$18+tax? In Ga. a carton is $41.00.

In Wisconsin a pack is over $6. Not sure how much a carton is - I'd say around $50.

Hi there, samkaren. I have been a lurker here for quite a long time and at the mention of cigarette prices, I decided it was time to join. I don't know where you live in IL, but Missouri is the place to purchase cigarettes. They have the least amount of taxes. I bought a carton of Basics (very generic) last week and it was $50. Just disgusts the heck out of me.

Well, the price alone would make me stop smoking....I'm not even mentioning health issues. Think what you could get for that money that goes up in smoke

I'm from Mass and I've been trying to quit for awhile now. My Marlboro Lights are now $7.69 at most stores. But I just keep finding the generics or the 2 for 1 deals to keep me going until I slap on the patches. Ugh..I wish I never started smoking in the first place!

Thanks for letting me know.

Kayjones.....I'm going to make the trip to Iowa for my smokes...$18...my gosh...that is CHEAP!!!!

I buy the one pound bag and roll my own. They were $13 and when I went Saturday it is now $40. At least I can get close to 3 cartons from 1 bag.

As for me...I would love to know exactly what the government is doing with my tax dollars. They sure aren't putting the money towards the roads in my area or into the schools. Must be another vacation to the Bahama's or one of their over-priced fancy "get togethers" to discuss how they can get more tax dollars from us. This is one reason I have no intention of letting them know I am selling art work. Why should I give them any more tax dollars to waste?

SamKaren
your resident DJ

I would like to know where in IA they are 18.00. Seems impossible to me. Mine come from MO. I pay around 25.00 a carton and that is 10.00 cheaper that IA.

Karen - I think transporting cigs across state lines is also illegal. Not sure what Illinois regulations are.

In Iowa you can take 2 packs across state line - packs not cartons.

I doubt they ever bust anyone for that though. They were talking about setting up stings at the Missouri border at one time though. Not sure if they ever followed through with it.

When we Canadians go to the States, we have to stay at least 48 hours in order to bring back cigarettes and booze. They are so much cheaper there than here.

Since I've never smoked, I've never brought any across the border, and when I was asked at the border if I brought any across, since I was entitled to, I said no, and they didn't really believe me. They searched my car. No problem. My aunt who used to work in Customs said we should always bring back cigs and booze and give them away if need be, so not to arouse any suspicion.

Iowagirl

Thanks for that warning. I usually pay cash for my bags of tobacco and always are careful with driving.

Jasdip....I can just imagine what they cost in Canada.

SamKaren

Here in the Quad Cities most of my friends now drive to IL to get their cartons.

Cigarettes here just went up to 50.00 a carton.
And don't even get me started on the new "fire safer" formula. grrrr

I quit 7 weeks ago today...I figured I would have smoked over 2400 ciggies in that time...I'm using the patch so I'm not saving much money yet...but in time I will and boy do I feel sooooo much better already!!

When all the smokers quit smoking because of all the taxes put on tobacco, then all the people will be griping because of the tax they put on something else or raise the prices of food.

Sam...I smoked almost two cartons a week...When they went up over 50.00 a carton...I said enough is enough...they can keep their damned ciggies...I miss them...but it gets easier everyday! (last weekend was very trying I'm telling ya)

Liz...that is amazing! I've known many chain smokers in my life but none of them smoked that much. I don't blame you for quitting. (Clapping...yeah Liz)

I only smoke a carton a month and even now I am eliminating certain smokes I have during the day. I'm down to about 10 a day now. Not that I am quitting..just cutting back.

SamKaren
your resident DJ