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Posted on 03/13/2003 8:58:56 AM PST by SheLion

HARTFORD, Conn., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Connecticut smokers who try to buy their favorite cigarette brands this Saturday (March 15) may be in store for quite a surprise. The state cigarette excise tax rises another 40 cents per pack, making The Nutmeg State highest in the nation in which to purchase tobacco. ADVERTISEMENT

The new tax increase pushes the state tax to $1.51 per pack, or $15.10 per carton of 10 packs.

What's a smoker to do when faced with such sticker shock?

"Quitting cold turkey might be one way," says David Tornberg, a brand manager at Kentucky-based Brown & Williamson Tobacco. "Doing so might be a symbolic way of thumbing one's nose at politicians who seem to have an insatiable appetite for more and more taxes," he said. Tornberg suggests that smokers considering quitting visit the company's website at www.bw.com for tips. "I know people might think we're not the best source of information on how to quit smoking," he said, "so we've included hot links to the health organizations, many of which offer plenty of advice."

But if a smoker chooses not to quit, Tornberg says, "he or she should at least be aware of a less-expensive alternative."

Starting this week, the company is telling Connecticut cigarette smokers they can offset the higher tax by selecting a premium brand that is being offered at a lower price -- savings that more than offset the higher tax. The company is conducting a campaign to get the word out through direct mail advertising and point-of-purchase communications.

"The brand is Pall Mall, and not only does it cost less, it lasts longer than other cigarettes because it's packed with more tobacco," Tornberg says.

Tornberg also points out that the lower price is an every day deal. "Were not running Blue Plate specials," he says, referring to other tobacco companies' practices. "We're not making people try to figure out which store has the special deals every week. We're not hassling our customers, requiring them to clip coupons. We are simply providing a premium smoke and asking a lower price than the big boys."

The new Connecticut tax goes into effect March 15. The current state tax is $1.11 per pack of 20 cigarettes, or $11.10 instate excise taxes for each carton of 10 packs. The 40-cent state tax increase per pack, or $4.00 more per carton, makes state taxes rise to $15.10 per carton. With the higher cigarette tax, Connecticut will be tied with neighboring Massachusetts, which also taxes smokers at a rate of $15.10 per carton.

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