Many people may cross the border into New York state –– if they don’t already do –– to buy cigarettes when a dollar tax increase takes effect on Aug. 1.

Tax on packs of cigarettes will increase to $2.60, expected to bring in $430 million to help balance the state’s 2016-17 spending plan. The move will mean Pennsylvania will have the 10th highest cigarette tax in the country; currently, the state is ranked 23rd.

“I think it is completely stupid. I’m going to start buying the Seneca Nation of Indians cigarettes instead of spending extra money I don’t need too,” said Brooke Bailey of Bradford.

In fact, Crystal Terwilliger of Bradford said Seneca Nation cigarettes are far cheaper –– $30 a carton rather than $7 a pack.

“Everyone goes to the ‘Junction’ (M&M Junction of Limestone, N.Y.) anyway for cigarettes. Nobody buys them in Bradford or in Olean (N.Y.),” said Christopher Anderson via Facebook.

The new tax will prompt people to head to states such as Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Ohio to purchase less expensive cigarettes, Eddie Orlowski said through Facebook.

But Jenna Kae Zetwick, who works in the medical field treating people for cancer, said she considers raising the tax for cigarettes an excellent idea.

“That $2.60 is nothing compared to what it costs to go through one day of cancer treatment let alone the years it may take of treatments,” she said via Facebook. “People voluntarily pay money to smoke cigarettes but don’t want to pay their healthcare bills when it causes something like cancer or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or emphysema. If it gets even one person to stop smoking then it’s worth it in my eyes.”

Although Jolene Schuessler of Bradford said she is not a smoker, she put the looming tax in a different way: If the state chose to increase the tax on chocolate, she would be majorly ticked off.

“So, I see why a smoker would be mad that the state wants to make money off of a person’s addiction. I’m a chocoholic. Would a tax make me want to quit eating it? No, but I would probably stock up on chocolate when I was out of state, for sure,” she said.

For Marcella M. Smith, if a few people quit smoking, then the new tax is worthwhile.

“Shouldn’t it be our own choice on if we wanna smoke or not!!!!” said Kassandra Baker via The Era’s Facebook page.

Dawn Sandy said via The Era’s Facebook page that a tax has always been placed on tobacco.

“How about alcohol??? That causes just as many problems, especially to families that live with that addiction. I feel that somebody just needs a scapegoat for more money. My opinion,” she said.

All things considered, Pennsylvania’s economy will be harmed by raising taxes on tobacco, Orlowski said.

No so, according to state officials.

“There was widespread support from all sides for an increased tax on cigarettes as part of a larger revenue package, including from Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate,” said Gov. Tom Wolf’s spokesman, Jeffrey Sheridan. “As the governor said, the entire revenue package is an important step forward and includes sustainable, recurring revenue that makes significant progress toward reducing our structural deficit. When the governor took office, he inherited a deficit of more than $2 billion and we are making significant progress in reducing it.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, also shared some thoughts.

“Looking for new revenues is always difficult, however completion of this year’s state budget required compromise from all parties,” he said. “Any type of increase on cigarettes generally does mean that some people will quit smoking. But even with this expansion, Pennsylvania still remains competitive with most of our neighboring states.”

Tyler Meyer of Bradford called the new tax a “glorified cash grab.”

“I’m still undecided as to whether or not I’m going to continue to smoke the way I do but I definitely do think the tax spike is wrong,” he said.

New taxes aren’t only impacting cigarettes, though.

Those who “vape” will also be impacted by a tax, said Dustin ManWarren of Bradford. Vaping involves inhaling and exhaling the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device.

“Safer alternatives for smoking just got a 40 percent tax tacked on, on top of the sales tax. They’re taxing addiction,” Terry Wankel of Bradford said.

As of Oct. 1, vape shops will have to pay a 40 percent tax on products purchased from distributors and manufacturers, as well as existing inventory.

ManWarren said he never smoked cigarettes but turned to vaping as a way to relieve his anxiety.

Now with the increased taxes expected on vaping products, ManWarren said small store closures would follow, and so would the loss of many jobs.

“Pennsylvania is not doing well by its people,” he said.