LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Arkansas approved a 56 cent tax increase on tobacco. It's expected to generate $87.8 million. The law will be effective March 1, 2009.



Vida Hardaway has been smoking for 20 years. Her addiction is not cheap. She pays $4 a pack.



"The better the quality of cigarettes, the more expensive it is to purchase it," says Hardaway.

Soon it will be 56 cents more expensive.



"I think 50 cents is a lot at once," says Hardaway.



The Arkansas Senate and House passed the tax increase to pay for a trauma system and healthcare programs. Sen. Tracy Steele co-sponsored the bill.



"It's a start to finally address children with autism in this state. It's a great victory," says Steele.



Yet, opponents say the state should not raise taxes during a slumping economy. The tax might drive some smokers out of state.



"I know people who lived in areas and the tax was so high, they would go to different counties to shop," says Hardaway.



Gov. Mike Beebe doesn't believe this will put anybody out of business. He says this will do more good than harm. He says fewer teens will pick up the habit because it will be more expensive.



"The biggest impact will be on new smokers, on kids," says Beebe.



"It makes money available to put critically needed programs across the state so every citizen has a trauma system and personal care for senior citizens and expand ARKids system for uninsured families," says Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Joe Thompson.



The bill passed the measure on a 28-7 vote. The measure needed ...