Starting today, buying cigarettes will cost Nevadans an extra dollar per pack, because of a new tax that passed in the legislature this year.

So far this tax has gotten mixed reviews.

Smokers we spoke to aren't pleased about the extra costs and said the tax hike might actually force them to quit. But that is exactly what the backers of the law were hoping for.

“It's going to be an issue for a lot of people especially me, with the amount of money I make,” says Michael Stotts.

Gailyn Hall adds, “I choose to smoke a cigarette. And I don't want to pay $10 for them.” 

 “The main thing for us as a health organization, is that it will reduce consumption. People will stop and say, 'You know, an extra $10 for a carton; this is the time for me to consider stopping,’” says Tom McCoy, American Cancer Society.

McCoy says the extra $1 per pack is expected to reduce Nevada's smoking population by 4% over the next few years, an estimated current 16,000 smokers.

And on top of that, they think it will prevent about 10,000 kids from starting the habit in the first place.

The money raised from the tax is slated for the general fund, but is expected to go toward anti-smoking education. And along with the extra funds, McCoy says this tax will also save the state a big chunk of change.

“The costs related to smoking, which is lung cancer, heart, productivity, etc., is about $900 per household per year, so when you start doing the math, it's almost $1 billion.”

McCoy says the tax does not address other tobacco products so they're still pushing for higher taxes on those as well as more regulation on e-cigarettes. 

If you're trying to quit smoking, there are some free resources that can help you, like the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.