It's soon going to cost more to smoke in Illinois.
Starting Sunday, the state tax on a pack of ciagarettes will be $1.98. The $1 increase will help fund the state's Medicaid program, but Illinois Department of Health Director Dr. Lemar Hasbrouck says the tax hike will have additional benefits.
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The $1 a pack tax hike should also entice about 60 thousand smokers to kick the habit says Hasbrouck. He says they predict the increase will also cause about 80 thousand kids from starting smoking in the first place.
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Hasbrouck says with the price of smokes going up, now is a great time to quit. For free counseling, call the state's Tobacco Quit Line at 1-866-QUIT-YES.