Cigarette Tax Going Up in First State

July 31, 2007 (WPVI) -- The cost of a pack of cigarettes is going up in Delaware.

Delaware's cigarette tax will go up 60-cents at midnight on Wednesday August 1st, that'll make it $1.15. That, however, is still lower than the taxes levies in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Meantime, the First State also announced that in a couple years if you buy in Delaware you'd be getting what's called a fire-safe cigarette.

In 2009, cigarettes sold in Delaware must be engineered to extinguish themselves in 15 to 20 seconds if they aren't actively smoked.

Delaware's governor signed the law on Tuesday. New York, New Jersey and Maryland already require fire-safe cigarettes.

The Fire Safety Council said initial research shows a decline in the number of cigarette related fire fatalities.

Payday Lending

A Pennsylvania court has ruled the nation's largest payday lender, Advance America, can no longer offer its "choice line of credit" to Pennsylvania consumers. The product allowed consumers to borrow up to $500 if they paid a monthly participation fee of $149.95 plus 5.98% interest.

Consumer advocates said the interest rate and fees are excessive and the product is harmful and exploitive. Commonwealth court ruled Tuesday the program does indeed violate state law. Pennsylvania's banking department said it would seek restitution requiring Advance America to repay consumers.

Jamie Fulmer of Advance America said the company is disappointed with the courts ruling today.

"The company will comply with the courts ruling and won't be offering loan products," she said.

The company is currently looking at it's options. The Choice Line of Credit is Advance America's primary product. Fulmer says their doors will be but staff will be telling people about the court's ruling.

Wireless Music

AT&T wireless customers can now use "eMusic" to download songs over the air and into their phones with no computer required. Songs purchased from eMusic mobile are immediately sent to your wireless handset and a duplicate copy is available for download to your PC at no charge. AT&T customers can subscribe to download five tracks a month for $7.49.

Sprint and Verizon already let people buy songs directly over the air but they focus on songs by mainstream performers. eMusic is the largest online retailer of music from independent labels.

(Copyright 2007 by Action News and 6abc. All Rights Reserved.)

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