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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Let the rumours be laid to rest about Yellowknifers stockpiling alcohol ahead of price increases that go into effect today.

Today, the territorial government's tax on alcohol increases by 10 percent and the price of a carton of cigarettes will go up by $11.20.

Some thought this would cause a spending spree, but it's business as usual at smoke shops and Yellowknife's liquor outlets.

"The people know the price is going up, but they don't buy a lot of packs - just one or two," said Izaan Suarez of Mac's convenience store.

At the downtown liquor store, manager Ed Eggenberger said sales haven't noticeably gone up, and he doesn't expect a big rush before today.

"I did get a phone call from one guy who was gonna come down and buy some, but we'll see," said Eggenberger.

"It's only going up ten percent on the tax and the tax is only about half the retail price, so it's going up about five per cent of the total price."

The North may be infamous for its alcohol-related problems, and that reputation is not unfounded, but there are also many moderate, casual drinkers who don't deem it important enough to stockpile because of a relatively small price mark-up.

The price will go up around 75 cents on a six-pack of beer, about $2.70 on a forty-ounce bottle of liquor and $1.80 per pack of smokes.

But there are some who are stockpiling nonetheless.

"I just dropped about $300 on alcohol for this weekend, but I didn't know the prices were going up," said Dustin Mercredi on Monday.