Illinois cigarette smokers may soon be in a huff over a proposed increase in cigarette taxes.

If passed, the increase will take effect July 1 and will raise the price of most brands of cigarettes sold in Illinois by 40 cents. The hike will push the average price for a pack of smokes to $4.35 or more.

Though the tax hike has yet to be passed into law, the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s office has warned smokers to look out for price jumps wrongly attributed to the tax increase.

Packs of cigarettes affected by the new tax will have a green or purple stamp, as opposed to the the light-blue-with-purple-border stamp currently in use. Smokers are urged to take notice of stamp colors to avoid being charged extra for cigarettes not meant to be affected by the hike.

Some locals aren’t so sure about the benefits of the increase, however.

Ralph Seats doubted the effectiveness of the tax hike. He’s the owner of Ralph’s News Stand & Trophy House, a popular tobacco shop at 664 E. Lincoln Highway.

“I don’t expect it to actually affect the number of smokers,” Seats said. “I mean, if a customer buys a pack every day, they’re not going to quit because of an extra 40 cents. The state just wants the revenue. I think they know nobody is going to quit because of this, because if they really thought people would quit, they wouldn’t get rid of one of the biggest money-makers they’ve got.”

Customer Annie Watts agreed.

“If I want to quit, I’ll quit on my own,” she said. “The only way this tax is going to stop me is if for some reason I don’t have 40 more cents.”

A number of Illinois Public Health officials support the increase, believing it will reduce the number of in-state smokers and save a predicted 26,300 lives, according to The Associated Press.

“We think it’s just wonderful,” said Dr. John Lumpkin, Illinois Public Health Director, to the Associated Press. “As the price goes up, it makes it easier for someone to decide to quit.”