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New Cigarette Tax Might Not Make Many Smokers Quit
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 3, 2008
Modified Jun 3, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 3, 2008
Modified Jun 3, 2008
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But it might make them poor! Today, NY State has introduced an additional $1.25 tax--for a total $2.75 NY State tax--on cigarettes, which means a pack of smokes is likely to cost between $8.00 to $8.50 in NYC (NYC has a $1.25 tax). NY1 got some comments from smokers on the streets:
"Wow, it's a lot of money," said one smoker. "Probably not enough to make me quit. I don't know how much it will take to make me quit."
"Oh my God! Today I'm going to call 311 and get those free Nicorette packages because I cannot afford $10 for a pack of cigarettes," said another.
"Actually there is no price that I can think of that would make me quit," said a third.
"I got to quit now," said a fourth. "Another $1.25? I'm done."
The city is hoping smokers will end up quitting due to the extra $3,000 they'll be spending. Mayor Bloomberg declared today NYC Quits Day. State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines said, “Today is a great day in New York because this tax increase will save thousands of lives." Free nicotine patches and counseling are available through the NY State Smokers' Quitline.
Tagged
cigarette tax
health
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NY State tax
quit smoking
smoking
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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