ATTLEBORO - Smokers may not like paying more for a pack of cigarettes, but they will, according to a handful of locals interviewed Monday night about a possible cigarette tax increase to be voted on by Congress later this week.

The tax, which, if passed, would be used to provide 9.8 million children with health care, would more than double the 39-cent federal tax on cigarettes.

The House wants a 45-cent increase while the Senate is aiming higher at 61 cents per pack.

Briggs Corner Store in Attleboro has a sign telling customers about the potential tax increase and how to petition against it but Jim Desper, an employee at the store, said most people don't mention it.

Desper, who has worked at Briggs Corner for one and a half years, says only a few people have taken any of the flyers. If the tax is passed, Desper said people will "definitely still buy cigarettes."

Stephanie Alphonse, a smoker from Rehoboth, called the tax "like making a donation."

She said because the tax is going to provide health care for needy children "it makes (the tax) worth it."

Unlike Alphonse, Paul Rodrigues did not agree with increasing taxes to provide children with health care. Rodrigues said he has worked at a company for over 25 years and still does not have health care.

Rodrigues also said he will continue to smoke, even if the increase is passed.

"Screw the taxes, we're going to pay it anyway, we're smokers," he said.

A New Zealand native who identified herself as Beverly Butterflies, agreed.

She said her country's government has added taxes to their cigarettes to help pay for its universal health care.

Cigarettes, even at the hefty pricetag of $15 per pack that she pays in New Zealand, still continue to sell, Butterflies said.

"It makes no difference how much you charge, people will still buy them," she said.