Rushing to buy smokes

Starting Wednesday, Florida will have a new cigarette tax. Tuesday night, smokers made a run to get cheaper smokes. The dollar extra per pack tax signed into law by Governor Christ is expected to generate millions for cancer research, and try and stop new smokers from picking up a pack. Tuesday, the new tax got mixed reviews, and pushed some to stock up.

Tuesday, smokers packed it in. Smoker, Thomas Hill, says, "It saved me an extra 10 bucks today." Hill tried to save money before the tax went into effect. Hill says, "It's a dollar more a pack basically. More money I have to spend."

Ocean Mart Owner, Mike Patel, says he was slammed with customers, "It's like a little bit of panic. Everyone is trying to save $10 dollars you know?" He's selling out of popular brands. Patel says more and more people talked of quitting, but he's not afraid because he doesn't buy it. Patel says, "Everyone says, "I'm gonna quit, I'm gonna quit," I haven't seen anyone quit so far yet."

In Jensen Beach, Manager A.J Vashi is afraid. He feels the tax hike will hurt, "It's bad for business and I think that's too much taxes." Customers, like Chris Luzi, see the price and are debating what to do next, "I gotta do something. I've got a frustrating job, I've got a frustrating life, it kind of takes the edge off of things."

So, while the lawmakers hope new prices deter smokers. It seems by Tuesday's rush it all depends on what a smoke is worth to you.

Some stores tell us your favorite pack will go up more than a dollar because now wholesalers are raising their rates too.