How will the deal affect the 40 million people who currently smoke?
There is almost unanimous agreement that the deal will increase the price of cigarettes — the only question is by how much. Some analysts believe a price hike will go as far as an extra $1.10 per pack. Critics of the proposed deal also claim that a price increase would create a new black market for untaxed cigarettes. It is also believed that there will be a decreased tolerance for smoking in public. More buildings will become smoke-free and more advocacy literature will circulate. Some see the deal as an attack on smoker’s rights.
