NEW YORK STATE -- Smokers across the state might be thinking about kicking the habit as the tax on cigarettes has gone up. This new tax has the cost of cigarettes running between $6 and $7 per pack. The total state tax on cigarettes is now $2.75 per pack, the highest in any state.

Officials are hoping this tax will motivate people to quit but New Yorkers have mixed feelings on how it will impact their lives.

"It's a choice I make. I mean, I could quit tomorrow if I wanted to. It's a choice I make and it's what I want to do and it's unfortunate that we're going to be taxed more. But it just is what it is,” said Susan Kaplan.

"People are not going to be paying an extra dollar. I mean, it's hard enough to get gas, so it's gas or cigarettes. You have to figure out which one is more important," said Martell Taylor, who plans on quitting.

The Department of Health estimates this tax will cause 140,000 people to quit.