Smokers are fuming over a huge increase in the federal tobacco tax. CNN's Jim Acosta reports.
However they satisfy their nicotine cravings, tobacco users are facing a big hit as the single largest federal tobacco-tax increase ever takes effect Wednesday.
Tobacco companies and public-health advocates, longtime foes in the nicotine battles, are trying to turn the situation to their advantage. The major cigarette makers raised prices a couple of weeks ago, partly to offset any drop in profits once the per-pack tax climbs from 39 cents to $1.01.
Medical groups see a tax increase right in the middle of a recession as a great incentive to help persuade smokers to quit.
What do you think? Is the tobacco tax fair to smokers?