BANGOR (AP) – Mainers found out that the sudden rise in the cigarette tax was no April Fool’s joke, and while some took it in stride, others said it’s time to quit.

Tobacco shop owner Frank Coglitore told the Bangor Daily News he saw a mix of reactions Wednesday as the federal tax on a pack of cigarettes rose by 62 cents a pack. The tax increase pushed the price for a pack of cigarettes to about $6 for a name-brand pack.

Coglitore says more people will probably start rolling their own smokes, although loose tobacco is also subject to a higher tax.

Also in Bangor, convenience store owner Raena Everett says smokers have known for weeks about the tax increase so it came as no shock Wednesday.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com