The cost of a carton of cigarettes has recently shot up an average of $7, weeks before a major federal excise tax of 61.66 cents per pack goes into effect April 1.

J.J. Waddell said he hears smoker’s woes every time he sells a pack.

“I’ve had a lot more complaints. It hasn’t slowed down or picked up but I’ve had a lot of people complaining about prices,” said the tobacco merchant.

On February 4, President Barack Obama signed a bill extending health coverage to 4 million uninsured children. The cigarette excise tax will fund the program.