Border Retailers Mixed About Washington Cigarette Tax Increase

Retailers along the Washington–Idaho border are preparing for the effects of Washington's new budget–balancing tax package. This week, lawmakers voted to increase taxes on cigarettes, beer, bottled water and candy.


Two miles into Idaho, the Flying J truck stop serves long–haul truckers and smokers from Washington looking for cheaper cigarettes. Ed Rengel is the general manager. He says he already gets lot of business from across the border. With the new $1 per pack tax, he's expecting even more.

Rengel: "Yeah, we're going to see them. We're definitely going to see them. We're excited about having them there and let them know we're here for them."

As for Washington's new 28 cent tax on six packs of non–micro beer, Rengel says he might pick up a little extra business there too.

Back in Spokane, one smokeshop manager issued a polite "no comment" when asked how the buck–a–pack cigarette tax would affect his business. But at Discount Smoke, manager Jack Choe doesn't expect to lose many customers.

Choe: "Well, it'll slow down a little bit at first. Probably a month, but it'll come back. It's still cheaper than Canada."

The new increase will push Washington's cigarette tax to about $3 per pack. Oregon's is a $1.18. Idaho's is 57 cents. I'm Doug Nadvornick reporting.