Raising the cigarette tax to $2 a pack will certainly increase the crime rate, especially with today's economy ("Big tax hike sought for smokes," Tribune, Sept. 13). Let's face it, nicotine is as much of a drug habit as anything else, and if cigarettes cost too much, a black market will emerge. We already are seeing catalytic converters stolen from cars and drugs from pharmacies. Any increase will just make more crime and endanger the lives of people who work where cigarettes are sold.

In addition to black-market cigarettes, people will go to Idaho and Wyoming or wherever they can buy them cheaper, denying Utah the tax money it would otherwise collect. Indian reservations such as Fort Hall, Idaho, could become major suppliers for Utahns.

The idea of such a raise is idealistic, but it has no plan to control the problems it would create.

Don Ferney

West Valley City