While Gov. Jodi Rell's plan to increase the state cigarette tax has been drawing bipartisan support from lawmakers, smokers are crying foul over the proposed hike.

Glenn Morrell, the owner of Glenn's Garage in Norwalk, says raising the tax from $2 to $3 a pack will hit him from two directions since he is a smoker himself and he relies on business from cigarette sales.

Democratic state Rep. Terry Backer says overtaxing smokers amounts to picking on a minority not out of concern for their health, but for the purpose of filling the state's coffers.

If approved, the new cigarette tax would take effect Oct. 1.