Area smokers are stocking up and voicing their protests -- and perhaps thinking about quitting -- after the state announced a 69-cent tax increase per pack last week.

The tax, which takes effect July 15, will help fund the state's general $20.7 billion budget. The higher tax is part of the state's largest tax increase in 11 years.

Heather Walker, assistant manager of Choice Cigarette Discount Outlet, 2110 N. Atherton St., said smokers are buying more cigarettes than usual, and are "complaining quite a bit."

"People who usually buy one or two cartons are buying four or five," she said. "And they can't believe it's going up so much, especially all at once."

Walker said she expects the tax to hurt cigarette sales, but couldn't tell to what extent.

Smoker Allison Shewak (junior-labor and industrial relations) said she doesn't think the increase will stop people from smoking, but she wouldn't mind the tax if the money went to a good cause.

"If it went to people with health needs related to smoking-related illnesses or prevention, that's OK," Shewak said. "But I think legislators are just taking advantage of people who are addicted to cigarettes."

The revenue will go to the state's general budget.

Other students are also unhappy with the increase.

"I'm very upset. If it weren't bad enough, prices are rising steadily already," Ken Siegrist (junior-accounting) said.

He said even with the tax, he isn't likely to quit.

"If it gets to $10 a pack, then maybe I'll stop," Siegrist said.

Perhaps hardest hit by the cigarette tax are those who are on fixed incomes.

Tim Frantz, 45, of Bellefonte -- whose only income is Social Security Disability Insurance -- said he probably won't be able to afford the increase.

"It's absurd," Frantz said. "Lawmakers who passed this tax can afford the increase, but they don't think about the general public."

He added that people on fixed incomes who are addicted to cigarettes might take food from their children's mouths to pay for their habit.

Frantz said he's thinking of quitting, but isn't sure if he can.

"The last time I tried, I quit for three days, and ended up punching my best friend in the face," he said.

He said he's been thinking about purchasing a nicotine patch to help him quit, but even that may be too expensive for him to afford.

For smokers who are ready to quit, the American Lung Association of Pennsylvania (ALAPA) offers a free online program designed to help people gradually give up cigarettes.

The online program consists of seven modules, each containing lessons designed to help individuals stop smoking over a period of several weeks.

The program offers a message board so people can find support with others who are trying to quit smoking, as well as tips for relaxation and staying smoke-free after they do quit.

Links to other programs, such as Nicotine Anonymous -- based on the same 12-step premise as Alcoholics Anonymous -- are also available at the site, which can be accessed at www.ffsonline.org.

According to the ALAPA, there were about 440,000 smoking-related deaths from 1995 to 1999 nationally. The average life expectancy of a smoker is reduced by 13.2 years for males and 14.5 years for females.