By Mike Golz

Smokers purchasing cigarettes in Nassau County may burn more cash on their habit if a new proposal raising the tax from $1.50 to $2.50 a pack is passed.

“The proposed tax is actually a New York State tax that Governor Pataki included in his 2006-07 budget,” Nassau County Assemblyman Tom McKevitt said.

According to a statement from The American Lung Association, increasing cigarette prices is the “single most effective way” to prevent young people from smoking as well as reducing current smoker rates.

“Maybe some kids will stop smoking because they really don’t have that much money,” Patricia Murphy, a University senior and non-smoker, said.

However, some students say it will take more than a tax to curb smoking.

“If people want to smoke, they can smoke, it shouldn’t be the choice of the government,” Ramano Seepersaud, a freshman non-smoker, said.

McKevitt said Senate and Assembly conference committees have been meeting to decide on a final budget, which is set to pass on April 1.

According to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the combined tax rate on cigarettes in New York City is now $3. During the first year of the tax’s implementation, cigarette tax revenues increased nine times to a total of $250 million.

If the tax is passed, New York State residents would see an increase in tax revenue similar to that of New York City in 2002. Despite revenues, students are not in favor of the tax.

“The tax would not be a good idea. I have enough problems as it is because it [cigarette smoking] is really expensive,” Deniz Yalt, a graduate business student and smoker, said. “I don’t think that if you are already a smoker this new tax will make you stop.”

Sophomore Anuj Thukra said the tax could help the economy and may force some to kick the habit.

“It is a good idea if they take the money and put it into scholarships,” Thukra, a non-smoker, said. “Certain income groups might stop smoking because it will become too expensive.”

“The money from the tax should go to education,” Murphy said. “I am indifferent about the tax as long as the money goes to a good cause and not Iraq.”

Since the last increase in cigarette taxes in New York State in 2002, the American Lung Association said approximately 200,000 people stopped smoking, which it predicts will result in a decrease of premature deaths by 60,000 people.

Even though June MacLellan, a supervisor in academic records, said she is unaffected by the taxes because she orders her cigarettes via the Internet, she disagrees with the tax.

“It is ridiculous and they need to pick on someone else,” she said. “People who smoke will still smoke. If it was a matter of a dollar, I would have quit 10 years ago.”