It happened in Canada back in the 80s. They pushed the tax up to where a pack cost $7 each. They actually had a drop in revenues (a big black market grew out of nowhere) and the good liberals decided to 'roll' back the taxes. Seems they were more interested in tax revenues than in protecting the 'children' from those evil cigarettes. The same will happen in Washington.You are right, sadly they are now increasing the cost by nickels and dimes, so the price for a carton is $50, but our minister of heath has also admitted that 30% of smokes are now smuggled.
...so the price for a carton is $50 Canadian or US? If Canadian $s, that would be about the same as NY prices. I have been to Ontario several times in the last few years but haven't priced smokes at retail. (I bring my own from the duty free.)