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Legislature OKs raising cigarette tax $1.60 to U.S. high $4.35 A PACK!

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Legislature OKs raising cigarette tax $1.60 to U.S. high $4.35 A PACK!

BY Glenn Blain

NY DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU

Originally Published:Tuesday, June 22nd 2010

 

ALBANY - Holy smokes!

 

The Legislature on Monday night narrowly approved boosting the state's tax on cigarettes by an additional $1.60 - to a national-high $4.35 a pack. Factoring in city and federal levies, a single pack is taxed to the tune of $6.85, which translates to a counter price of $12 - $13 for New York City smokers.

 

The tax hike came as part of an emergency spending plan to keep New York government running for another week.

 

Pols now have seven days to cut a deal on a permanent budget, or risk Gov. Paterson putting a year's worth of spending - and painful education cuts - into an emergency must-pass plan.

 

The new tobacco levy will also drive up the tax charged on cigars and chewing tobacco to 75% of its wholesale price - a 29% jump.

 

"We are going to collect revenue and ensure that young people don't have access to cheap smokes," said Senate Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx).

 

The new tobacco taxes will raise an estimated $290 million to help plug the state's $9.2 billion deficit, according to Paterson's budget office.

 

The emergency bills also include $150 million from the collection of taxes on cigarettes sold on Indian reservations, setting up a likely court battle with the Indian tribes.

 

Republicans slammed Democrats for being tax-happy.

 

"This is just a prelude of what you are going to see in the big ugly," said Deputy Minority Leader Thomas Libous (R-Binghamton.) "You are going to see spending and taxes, everything that you shouldn't do in this economy."

 

Health advocates praised the higher tax, which is well ahead of the $3.46 charged by No. 2 Rhode Island, saying it will make it too costly for many people to smoke.

 

"They are going to see well over 100,000 adults who will quit smoking because of this," said the American Heart Association's Julie Hart.

 

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2010/06/22/2010-06-22_nail_in_coffin_legislature_oks_raising_cig_tax_160_to_us_high_435_a_pack.html#ixzz0rerTplNZ

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Shortline Bus

Shortline Bus

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I am sure most of the state's Native American Indians who run casinos or tourist attractions will be 'steamed' especially after many years now of charging NY state's lowest prices on Cigarettes on their casinos like Turning Stone.

 

Now they will barring a successful appeal in court now will lose some of the hundred of millions in profits they have made. Now the Native Indians will blame both the recession and also the corrupt government in Albany for this and this could get nasty since the new taxes will take place statewide by Sept. 1.

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East New York

East New York

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If it's going to make people quit smoking, I'm for it.

 

I think it will just incourage people to make packs stretch longer, or they will get loosies at a local bodega. But that's about it.

 

I can't belive this news. $13 for a F'n pack is insane. Heavens to Betsy what am I going to do now?

 

The only thing that works for me is Winterfresh Gum. But that only lasts so long before I need another cig.

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MTR Admiralty

MTR Admiralty

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As much as I'm for non-smoking, it is kind of authoritarian for the government to tell people what they ought to do or ought not to do. Yes, it's not telling people DIRECTLY. But look, taxes on cigarettes... taxes on sugary drinks... wow. People ought to learn how to change their habits themselves.

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Shortline Bus

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Smokers fired up over Gov. Paterson's proposed tax increase, but they'll pay

 

BY Barry Paddock

NY DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

 

Wednesday, June 23rd 2010

 

"City smokers are fuming over a new tax that will increase the price of a pack of cigarettes by $1.60 - but most say they'll continue to cough up the dough.

 

"I'm gonna be upset, but I'll pay," said Jimmy Dece, 19, a locksmith from Flushing, Queens. "I'll be miserable about buying them for $11, but at least I'll have a cigarette to deal with the problem."

 

For one single mother, any price is worth it.

 

"It's the only stress relief I have," said Trina Carollo, 36, a social worker from Staten Island with two toddlers. "They can be screaming and I can go outside and smoke and have a moment to myself."

 

Smokers were already scrambling to rearrange their budgets in anticipation of the July 1 hike, which pushes the total taxes on smokes to $6.85.

 

Terry Hines smoked on the sidewalk while scratching off a lottery ticket during a break from his job as a maintenance worker. "I'm trying to win so I can get a pack," joked Hines, 43, of Queens.

 

Health officials say the tax will drive some to quit, and at least a few smokers are getting on board.

 

"This is my last cigarette," vowed Reginald Wynder, 45, a cook from East New York, Brooklyn. "Dead serious, this is the last one for me. I can't afford to buy no more cigarettes."

 

Others were just plain angry about the tax.

 

"It's governmental extortion, bottom line," said Marquis Smith, 38, a business owner from the Bronx who smokes a pack a day of Marlboro Lights."

 

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/06/23/2010-06-23_smokers_fired_up_butt_theyll_pay.html#ixzz0rkbvpRBz

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Messino

Messino

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These high cigarette taxes are the GUVTs way of making money and forcing people to stop smoking because they know they can't declare it illegal because there will be too much public uproar so they figure they keep raising the taxes gradually so that before you know it, most people will get sick of paying $20 for a pack of smokes which it will be soon enough..

 

Good thing I quit smoking that garbage 12 years ago

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St Louis Car 09

St Louis Car 09

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These high cigarette taxes are the GUVTs way of making money and forcing people to stop smoking because they know they can't declare it illegal because there will be too much public uproar so they figure they keep raising the taxes gradually so that before you know it, most people will get sick of paying $20 for a pack of smokes which it will be soon enough..

 

Good thing I quit smoking that garbage 12 years ago

even if cigs are $15 people will still light up.
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Dan05979

Dan05979

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Loosy's are a bean right now but I spoke to my local hodjee and he told me the non NY cigs are going up from $7 to $9 this is all a bunch of bullshit. I don't abuse smoking, a pack last me a day and a half. Its a bad habbit I agree but its hot now, I sit in traffic all day I need something.

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