Cigarette Tax
Smokers will light up less after a $0.40 tax increase takes effect in July, saving about 26,000 lives.
Experts say the tax hike also will lead to a decrease in heart attacks, cancer and respiratory diseases.
Illinois' public health director Doctor John Lumpkin says seven percent of Illinois teen-agers, which is about 50,000, will not smoke because of the tax increase.
Earlier this month Governor Ryan signed into law the bill that pushes the state cigarette tax to $0.98 a pack on July 1. Officials say the tax boost would raise $230 million toward plugging the state's budget deficit.
Under the new law, a pack-a-day smoker would pay $358 in state taxes annually, a $146 increase.
