29.34%	Yes, I support the higher tax
67.39%	No, I oppose the higher tax

Comment: I think it's time alcohol needs to be taxed. Why is it always cigarettes? from pensacola by susan

Comment: They use this as a cash cow. They would be taxing the middle class. We already pay enough tax. When elected Gov Crist ran on NO new taxes. I hope he keeps his word. from Pensacola, Fl by Charles

Comment: No, I don't support it. I'm only hurting myself. Why don't they tax alcohol instead. from Pensacola by ray

Comment: This has been done in several other states supposedly to offset health care. Health care as of yet has not seen a dime of it. The money will only make it as far as someones pockets. from Pensacola/Florida by Roger

Comment: We are already being taxed to death with all the taxes people are paying on everything. NO MORE TAXES !!!!!! from Pensacola, Fl. by J.

Comment: Are they going to raise the the tax on beer,wine,ect? Why is it alway's just cigerettes? Let's spread it around. from Gulf Breeze,Fl by Chris

Comment: i do not support this taxation. yes, my husband and i both smoke...thank goodness we buy our cigarettes on the base. the cigarettes out in town are already way too costly and adding another $1.00 per pack, no. I could understand $.10 more per pack..i'm sure any more money would be welcome and 10 cents more wouldn't really break people. from pensacola, florida by georgia

Comment: I only support this,If they power's that want this, raise tax by 2$on alcohol a bottle and the same on beer.Don't forget smokeless tobacco and Cigar's too from pace Florida by Robert

Comment: This is a tax that would benefit everyone and would only be imposed on people who choose to smoke from Crestview by Callie

Comment: i smoke but i do support the raise in taxes to tobacco to help off set funds to the state. in addition to this, i think they should raise the taxation on alcohol also. i think that it would help curb alcohol drinking and smoking altogether... from p'cola by h

Comment: No Comment from Navarre, Fl. by C J

Comment: folks who smoke won't like it, but the tax money goes for health reason, and that is a good thing. from Crestview, Fl. by Ann

Comment: I DON'T SMOKE BUT THE CIGARETTS COST ENOUGH. PUT MORE TAX ON ALCOHOL AND MAKE IT HARDER ON DRUNK DRIVERS. from MILTON,FL by NANCY

Comment: Raise taxes on alcohol...will raise much more money! from Milton by Susan

Comment: I think they have already punish smokers with the price as it is. they have done nothing but rasied the prices. from Pensacola by Steve

Comment: I think they should just raise taxes. This is an unfair tax. Alcohol is just as bad for people,but you don't see that tax going up. from Niceville ,Fl by teresa

Comment: I Have COPD because of smoking cigs. Maybe higher prices will give a better reason too quit.I quit 9 years ago, but it wasent soon enough for me. from Pensacola by John

Comment: Health costs to the average american is sky rocketing and in great part to cigarette related illnesses. An increase of more than one dollar should be passed to help clean up cigarette smokers dirty habit of tossing their cigarette waste out of their autos and on to the road. How many times have we had fire warnings and some smoker tosses their lit cigarette onto a grassy area. Toooo many times! from Pensacola by Deb

Comment: I am a former smoker and believe taxing smokers is just another way to unfairly burden one group of people for everyone's responsibilily. No solutions though. Seems smokers and drinkers are the one's who everyone wants to tax. If the county commisioners here would allow a card room at the dog track that would help our county. Do you think the Pensacola churches are going to allow that to happen? Don't count on it!!! from Pensacola, FL by Carol

Comment: I have given up eating out, movies.. any luxuries. Smoking is about the only thing I have left. It isn't that easy to quit or I would. I am just the type they would be hurting - the working poor. The state should only do this if they are willing to pay for whatever it takes to help people quit. from Destin, Fl by Cheryl

Comment: i support higher tobacco tax,along with higher liquor tax,this stuff is a luxury,keep the gas tax off,it is a neccity. from pensacola,fl by glen

Comment: Please raise the tax for cigarettes! Smokers may think it is unfair but when they light up they expose non-smokers to their unhealthy habit, they litter the sides of our streets with cigarette butts and they raise health care costs for all of us. I am very proud that Florida has a non-smoking policy for all restaurants and public buildings - more states should incorporate those policies. from Navarre, FL by Malissa

Comment: Yes it is a choice to smoke and granted there are a lot of laws in place but people who do not smoke are still subjected to second hand smoke and we as a tax payer pick up many medical bills for ones who have effects from it. So I have no problems putting more taxes on them, as I do think alchol should have more tax too to off set those cost. from Navarre, FL by Laurie

Comment: No more taxes. I would challenge Chuck Kicker to prove which healthcare costs are tobacco related and which aren't. I see people on the news throwing these numbers around to justify whatever argument they want to make. Taxes are taxes and we don't need anymore. Why put these people on the news??????? from Pensacola, Fl. by Mason

Comment: i think they should put the tax on beer, and alchol. We smokers don't kill inocent people in car accidents... from holt, fl by sheila

Comment: No more taxes. I would challenge Chuck Kicker to prove which healthcare costs are tobacco related and which aren't. I see people on the news throwing these numbers around to justify whatever argument they want to make. Taxes are taxes and we don't need anymore. Why put these people on the news??????? from Pensacola, Fl. by Mason

Comment: NO IF THERE SHOULD BE A RAISE ON ANYTHING IT SHOULD ALCOHOL. LET THE PEOPLE THAT GO OUT AND GET DUI BUT WHY DON'T WE RAISE THE PRICE OF ALCHOL. IT JUST AS MUCH AS TOBACCO from NICEVILLE, FL by STEVEN

Comment: I fully support the higher tax on cigarettes. from Milton, FL by Cathy

Comment: It is wrong to use a persons addiction to increase taxes. Find something everyone uses and raise taxes there. ie gas or sells tax from Pensacola FL by Jim

Comment: This is just another sham to tax the poor. The state collected how many millions in the tobacco settlement? This tax will increase theft and burglaries and since you can't tax criminals it is not a wise tax. from Milton/FL by Cathy

Comment: The State needs the taxes, If you raise the price, people will stop buying them in this state and another State will get the tax money!!! from Pensacola,Fl by T

Comment: NO! That's not right! They still won't help with healthcare cost. They might say they will, but let's face it, they are not going to take that money and use it for nobody's healthcare. Leave the smokers alone! from Pensacola, Florida by Michelle

Comment: LETS ALSO TAX CHOCOLATE-OBESITY IS A HIGHER RATE FOR HEART DISEASE THAN SMOKING. FIND ANOTHER VICTIM TO PUNISH. from PENSACOLA FL by HENRY

Comment: Yes I do support a higher tax. Statistics show higher cigarette costs result in more smokers quitting this habit that holds people's lives hostage by forcing them to modify their entire lifestyle and schedule in order to support this intense addiction, negatively affects work productivity through the destraction of wondering when the next fix will come, significant increase in long term health care costs, decreased quality of life, passive smoke affecting those they care about, and the financial liability of supporting such a destructive habit. If they can't quit, let's do them and those that love them a favor with motivation to quit. Thanks for the opportunity to comment. from Pensacola/FL by Craig

Comment: Are we going to increase taxes on fast food and "junkfood" makers due to the increasing costs of healthcare due to Diabetes, heart attacks,obesity, etc.? Are we going to tax prescription drugs and alcohol that are not only costing more in healthcare, but everywhere else! You don't see rehabs, detox centers, social security disability, or meetings for smokers! from Pensacola,FL by M

Comment: If our government wants to tax something tax all the liquor sales, but they won't do that because our officials like their drinks. leave smokers alone from Pensacola by Sue

Comment: I think it is time we stop laying all the problems of money short falls on just part of the tax payers. smoking is not against the law therefore just smokers should not be the target everytime goverments run out of money. from pace, fl. by daniel

Comment: I do not support this tax because it will place even more of a hardship on those smokers who are having a hard time financially. When you are in a distressful financial situation, you want to smoke even more, because of he stress. I am a previous smoker who quit 12 years ago and I understand the feeling of this type of stress. from Navarre, FL by Anita

Comment: I do no support the $1.00 per pack tax. I'm an ex-smoker and I feel extremely sorry for those that are addicted to cigarettes/nicotine. I can tell you that I quit cold turkey in June of 1982 and even after all this time, I still fancy a cigarette or a smoke when I see someone light one up. To tax a packet of cigarettes just to try to stop people from smoking is not the way to go. There are a lot of other items that contribute to vices so why pick on the smoker? from Pensacola, FL. by Raymond

Comment: No new taxes period. Cigarette smoking is an addiction. Instead of new taxes and bailouts the government budgets should be adjusted just as we have to adjust our budgets at home. from Navarre, Fl by Marion

Comment: If the stated purpose is accurate, the idea is absurd; has no one in the state ever heard of "pricing oneself out of business"? If the actual purpose is to cause people to give up smoking, proponents should consider that encouraging criminal activity is equally likely. We are all taxed more than enough. When this proposal, should it pass, fails to generate enough revenue, what will be taxed, next? (For the record, I am not a smoker) from Pace by Linda

Comment: I smoke and this would force the quit issue as it would for many others, but then what would they tax. Why don't they just tax food, then all of the non-smokers would get a taste of what they keep asking of smokers. from Crestview, FL by David

Comment: I say NO.. Let them add the extra tax or money on there health insurance if they smoke. Non smokers get a better deal.... It's not gonna stop people from smoking..But to add a dollar is just not right. And Crist did say no new tax. from Ft Walton Bch,Fl by Rose

Comment: ABSOLUTELY cigarettes should be taxed--and so should alcohol. Not only will it provided needed revenue, but it will encourage those who choose to waste their money and damage their health with such self-destructive habits, to QUIT and KICK those nasty, expensive habits. Smoking is harmful to the environment, as well as to individuals, IN ADDITION TO the large number of people who are damaged by second-hand smoke. This is NOT a "middle-class" tax, as some hard-core smokers are lamely attempting to have us believe. It is a "sin" tax and always has been perceived as such. NO ONE, regardless of WHAT economic "class" they may fall in, should be smoking, especially in such dire, economic times. People who waste money on such bad habits need to take a long, hard look at their priorities, and not purchase cigarettes and alcohol if they can't afford to pay for necessities. from Pensacola, FL by Carol

Comment: I don't support the tax because I think that taxes should be applied to things that all people use. Therefor everyone would be taxed equally, and not just a targeted group. from Pensacola, Fl. by Keith

Comment: The cigarette tax is too high now. raising the taxes on them will not stop people from smoking thet will just get them where ever they are cheaper at like the smoke shop in Atmore they are already cheaper there thats where I get mine at. I don't have to pay taxes on them.Thives are already breaking into stores to steal cigarettes because the price is too high. by Richard

Comment: I am sick of the American Cancer Society.In the past I always donated to them, however over the past few years it seems they are coming up with rediculous things, and will blame cancer on anything possible.When people didn't smoke, they started blaming cancer on second hand smoke.Remember them saying cancer was caused by grilling hamburgers, by potato chips... ok,so I ignore them now. They want to find another way to get more money to pay their staff more.I know I am a minority since I still smoke, however, I am considerate of those who don't..smoking is not illegal, and I am tired of not having MY rights to do what I want.Smoking is not illegal..if they want to go that far, why not just ban the production of cigaretts, we would all have to quit, and the cancer society would have to find another way to get millions of dollars. from mobile al by sherri

Comment: Absolutely not, and I'm not a smoker. If people want cancer from cigarettes, that's their personal business. Tax the alcoholic beverages that kill innocent people, raise the divorce rate, is the reason for most child and spousal abuse.Also adds to obesity, which increases medical costs. from navarre by Paul

Comment: By some of the logic herd by respondents on WEAR. Lets Tax: 1)Fuels at a higher rate apportioned to carbon foot print and Air Quality because Pollution causes higher medical cost. 2) Food all (Fast and Grocery)because fat people have higher medical cost. 3) Children because they have higher medical cost. 4) Parking lots because they cause global warming. 5) People because they kill people and that cost money. Need I go on or do you get the just of my logic. from Fort Walton Beach by D

Comment: Makes about much sense as adding a dollar to acohol and beer drinks, becuase of problems caused by people that drink. from Pensacola, FL by Ray

Comment: That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. Smokers are still going to smoke regardless. from Pensacola, Florida by Christy

Comment: Please do research on how much money is spent on alcohol issues such as DUI - wrecks, Liver damage etc.....I bet the outcome would surprise people. from pensacola / florida by Hugh

Comment: I disagree with a 1.00 tax per pack. from milton, fl by erica

Comment: I really think if it went to $2 dollars a pack most people would keep on useing them. from pensacola by larry

Comment: i dont think that the state will us the money for what it should be used for and thats smoking related injuries. They are using the smokers to make up some of the state budgets shortages and thats is not fair to the smokers. from jay fl by dixon

Comment: Why not tax obese people for their addiction to food.. That would get the Health care companies alot more $$$$ from McDavid, FLorida by Doug

Comment: This is not about the cig. tax---it's about you taking Tom Jones off this AM to give us some more weather report that you have been putting across the bottom of the screen all morning!!!!! I had been watching RR just for Tom Jones and then you stupid A.H.s take him off for more weather S!!! Why didn't you do that while they were sitting there just talking or ANY other time besides when he started to sing!!!!!!!!!I am VERY upset with you!!!!! from Brewton,Al by Jackie

Comment: First of all, I don't smoke and never have, but I know many people who do. Tobacco products are ADDICTIVE, for most smokers, it is not a matter of choice, it is a matter of NEED, like any other addiction. If the price of cigarettes jumps $1.00 per pack, will that reduce their need? No, it won't, it will only reduce the amount of money they have to spend on other things. Does the American Cancer Society really want to force smokers to make a choice between buying a pack of cigarettes for him/her self or bringing home a gallon of milk for the children? Because that is the choice many will have to make if another dollar is added to a pack of cigarettes. From another perspective, IF the motive of the American Cancer Society is to reduce the number of smokers, and IF the higher price accomplishes that, then the increased amount of revenue from the tax will be greatly reduced by at least two factors: less cigarettes purchased will cause reduced retail sales which will result in the loss of jobs for workers &/or businesses closing, which will result in less money being spent on other products, which will add to the continuing spiral of economic decline. THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE ANYONE &/OR ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY WILL BENEFIT OVER THE LONG TERM. In these difficult economic times, perhaps we should consider increasing taxes on luxury items like yachts, Cadillacs, BMW's, or even clothing that is priced over $200. It would take 50,000 packs of cigarettes @ $1.00 more per pack to equal a 5% tax increase on purchase of ONE "million dollar" yacht. And the person who can afford the purchase of a million-dollar yacht or even a $75,000 BMW does not have to choose between a pack of cigarettes or a gallon of milk!!! from Milton, FL by J

Comment: I support it ONLY if when the tax is imposed, they make it illegal for ANY place to say that someone can't smoke OUTSIDE. It is ridiculous to tell a grown professional that he/she can't smoke outside on the grounds of a facility. from Milton/FL by A

Comment: As the mother of an asthmatic child, I have seen first-hand the medical expenses that arise from cigarette smoke exposure. from Gulf Breeze by Jennifer

Comment: Seems fair to make smokers pay for their increased heath cost. from Baker, FL by Patrick

Comment: The "hidden" cost of smoking are so high, a dollar isn't enough. Mkae sure the tax is spent on health care. from Navarre, FL by Paul

Comment: I am a "reformed smoker", haven't smoked in over twenty years. With that said, I still feel it is unfair to over-burden one class of taxpayer (the cigarette smoker). Granted, it is a nasty habit, but a habit nonetheless. Habits CAN BE broken (I did it -- cold turkey). My point is: taxation is not the answer to the problem. If society (collectively) wants to do away with smoking, DO AWAY WITH THE TOBACCO GROWERS. If we had no product, we would not be trying to harm ourselves with cigarettes -- albeit, we'd find other less than suitable ways to commit self-suicide. Such as drinking, shunning God, reckless driving, drunk driving, etc.,etc. As long as we possess the ability to formulate thought, we will find something to ultimately prove harmful to humanity. from Mary Esther, FL. by Tom