CHICAGO - Beginning today, Cook County is raising taxes on cigars, loose tobacco, and smokeless (chew) tobacco, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Large cigars ?" those weighing just under half-an-ounce ?" will incur a 25-cent tax boost, while taxes on smaller cigar will rise five cents each. Those taxes are on top of an existing 9.5% combined city, state and county sales tax.

Additionally, loose tobacco and smokeless tobacco will incur a new 30-cent per ounce tax, a rate that will double to 60 cents next year. Taxes on big cigars will increase 30 cents next year.

Cook County raised the taxes in an effort to generate county revenue. The increases are projected to generate an additional $9.6 million by the end of this year.