Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
City Snuffs Out Cheap Roll Your Own Cigarettes Shops
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 21, 2011
Modified Dec 21, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 21, 2011
Modified Dec 21, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Bad news for lung cancer fans on a fixed income: you've got until February 1st to stock up on cheap cigarettes at two local establishments that skirt NYC's steep taxes. You'll recall that Island Smokes, a retail tobacco outlet with locations on Staten Island and the Lower East Side, has for some time now exploited a perceived loophole in the city's cigarette tax law: by requiring smokers to roll their own coffin nails using on-site cigarette stuffing machines, Island Tobacco was able to sell their products as loose tobacco, which is taxed at a lower rate. That is, until fraud investigators took notice.
Last month lawyers for the city sought an injunction to stop the company from continuing their allegedly illegal sale, distribution, and advertising of non-taxed cigarettes, as well as compensation for the tax revenue lost by the city. And yesterday, Island Smokes agreed to close up shop starting February 1st, because fighting City Hall would have been too costly. "From a lawyer's perspective, it was a very winnable case, and something I would have loved to take on," attorney Jonathan Behrins tells the AP. "But fighting it alone against an army of lawyers and unlimited funds ... the prospects were not that good."
Employees at both Island Smokes locations declined to comment this morning. In a statement, New York City Finance Commissioner David M. Frankel said, "I want to thank the Sheriff’s Office for its heads-up work finding this business and conducting a thorough investigation. When one business doesn’t play by the rules, it hurts not only the taxpayers, who rely on tax revenue to pay for vital services, but all of the small businesses who do the right thing. It’s our job to help level the playing field for businesses and ensure all tax revenue due to the City is collected."
The Law Department also alleged that Island Smokes was also causing a public nuisance by, "among other things, selling cigarettes that have not been certified as 'fire-safe' as required by New York State law." And since the city’s lawsuit was filed, investigators have located several other recently opened “roll-your-own” cigarette businesses, and they've been issued cease and desist letters threatening legal action.
Tagged
cigarettes
island smokes
roll-your-own
smoking
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
The shooting during a botched robbery occurred amid heightened tension over immigration enforcement.
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 1:03 p.m. ET
NYC extends program offering late-night soccer games at 5 parks
The city will let the lights stay on until 2 a.m. at one park in each borough through the end of November.
By
Liam Quigley
News
NYC extends program offering late-night soccer games at 5 parks
The city will let the lights stay on until 2 a.m. at one park in each borough through the end of November.
By
Liam Quigley
Two Legionnaires’ disease cases appear at a Queens housing complex. Here’s what we know.
By
Joe Hong
Cyclist dies in Central Park after crashing into off-leash dog, NYPD says
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Early Addition: Do any of you get off at the 3rd Avenue L train stop?
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .