[non-smoker]

I work in a fireworks store that just happens to also sell a huge amount of cigarettes near the Iowa/Missouri line, and thanks to our government changing the laws, we have one hell of a time figuring out what cigarettes everyone wants to buy. Our store happens to be a fireworks/convenience/liquor/ tobacco store.
First problem taxes went way up and smokes went from $18.-$25.49 for the cheapest ones.
Second problem all tobacco must be out of reach of customers, unless we only allow 18 and older inside, so we have to get it all for you.
Third the FSC paper debacle.
Fourth problem all the signs changed and all the new signs can't describe any cigarette as light, ultra light or medium.
Fifth, all the cigarette packs themselves changed the same way.

Now we have thousands of people per day walk in and ask why we changed everything, like it was our fault. Bitch cause they can't shop in the isle, because we had to close it to customers. Bitch because they can't see everything. And worst of all, most have no idea what length or style of smokes they smoke, or have paid attention to the fact that their lights are now Blue or Gold.
These changes all happened prior to last June, at least in our store, because we had to be ready for fireworks season. Another problem that will only get worse and more confusing, is that our summer help are kids aged 15-18, most of which have little experience with cigarettes, either smoking or selling them. Please smokers, learn the new names of your smokes! We don't read minds and have no idea what you smoke if you don't. Most are easy enough, and we can figure it out if you ask for marlboro lights, shorts. We know immediately that you are asking for Marlboro Gold Kings, and will ask you to specify the hard or soft pack. But many are much harder to figure out, and box colors are changing too on many brands, to the point that even if you have a pack in your pocket and match up the colors, they may be different. If you ask for marlboro reds, I will automatically bring Red soft pack kings. No I wanted them in a box! No problem, I will return these ten cartons and get them in boxes. No, I want the long ones! O.k. now I'm getting pissed but will try hard not to show it, return those ten cartons and bring 10,Marlboro Red 100's Box. Why not just ask for those the first time? If you smoke pall mall filters, they are now Red ,or Red 100's, Blue, or Blue 100's, Green, or Green 100's,or Orange, or Orange 100's. Simple! But people still waste our time asking for 5 cartons of full flavor pall mall filters in a box, the long ones, and 5 cartons of the light ones in the short box. It's excruciating!

[the iron horse]

Lucky Strikes nonfilters cost me almost 7.00 dollars a pack now.


Lucky for me I only smoke a pack a month.