Burning Money

When times are tough we learn how innovative we really are. With the price of regular cigarettes going up, consumers are looking for cheaper alternatives to help save money. For them, even the generic brands are just too expensive. Instead they've turned to small cigars, roll-your-own cigarettes, and snuff. Consumers save money not only on the product, but also on the tax. A pack of cigarettes—hovering at about $4 a pack—has a 39 cent tax on it compared to with a 4 cent tax on a small package of cigars.

The best way to be frugal, as well as do something good for your health,  is to stop smoking completely, but we know sometimes it's easier said then done. So, while prices are high on everything else, consider your alternatives to save some money.

Just for giggles, do you think the tobacco tax should be the same for cigarettes and other tobacco products? Why or why not? [Bloomberg]