Cigarette Taxes Soar Over 70 Percent, According to Local Store Owner at Tucker’s Convenience
BELLEVILLE – For those who frequent Tucker's Convenience at the well-known local intersection dubbed “Tucker’s Corners,” an unsettling trend is hitting their wallets hard: the steep taxation of cigarettes. According to the store's manager and owner, taxes on cigarettes have risen to more than 70 percent, leaving both smokers and business owners feeling the financial strain.
Tucker’s Convenience, located just outside of Belleville at the intersection with Jack Tucker’s bar, has long been a familiar stop for locals. It serves as a one-stop shop for essentials, snacks, and, for many, cigarettes. But recently, the prices on cigarette packs have skyrocketed, largely due to increasing government-imposed taxes.
“The price of cigarettes is mostly tax now,” said the store’s owner. “A pack of Pall Malls that costs around $4 before taxes is now selling for $14 after taxes. That’s because 70 percent of the final price—about $9.80—comes from taxes alone plus the manufacturers fees.”
This sharp increase is part of a broader government strategy to reduce smoking rates, but it’s also leading to frustration among customers and store owners alike. Local smokers are feeling the pressure, with many reconsidering their habits or searching for cheaper alternatives, such as vaping or driving farther to find better deals.
For business owners, it’s a tough spot. “We don’t make much profit off cigarette sales anymore,” the owner explained. “Between taxes and the price increases from manufacturers, we’re left with very little margin. People come in to buy cigarettes, and they leave, meaning they aren’t spending money on other things in the store.”
At the corner where Tucker’s Convenience and Jack Tucker’s bar stand, this intersection has long been a hub of activity for locals. However, if prices keep climbing, it may not remain that way for long. While government officials believe that higher taxes will contribute to reducing smoking-related health costs in the long term, it’s unclear how small businesses like Tucker’s will continue to weather the storm in the short term.
As cigarette taxes soar, local businesses are feeling the pinch, and customers may be forced to make some hard decisions—whether to quit smoking or find new ways to stretch their budgets. For now, at Tucker’s Convenience, the impacts of government policies on cigarette taxation are being felt in full force.
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