New Cigarette Tax Might Not Make Many Smokers Quit

Photograph by Unlisted Sightings on Flickr

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.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on June 3, 2008 3:15 PM

Comments [rss]

Snoopy

Eugene, you have convinced me. I'll be drinking Coors light from now on.

sonyactivision

It made me quit...paying the tax.

eugenejen

If government raises tax to protect our health. Then why don't they charge following stuff like cigarettes?

Anything that has carbohydrate, so you pay 100% more for your bagels, donuts, spaghetti, rice, noodle and sushi, cereal, soft drink and beer? High carbohydrate causes diabetes, overweight and kills more people from heart diseases.

If you check the statistics, most people don't smoke and still suffer from diabetes and heart disease due to overweight than smokers died of lung cancers. So why government spend so much effort for a small group of people and forget to protect the majority?

Snoopy

Without this additional tax on cigarettes those who don't smoke will get fucked. It's a double edged sword.

WhereAmI

Someone remind me again where the money for $5 packs goes. Someone remind me who currently supports this even more. Thank you very much and can you legislators please walk away and die.

Spirit of 76

It's not enjoyable. The nicotine is addictive and you're willing to put up with the acrid smoke to get it, that's all. It's nobody else's fault you can't control your addictions to either nicotine or food. I never smoked and haven't gained a pound in 20 years.

This won't stop many people. There's only one sure way to quit smoking. Death.

Snoopy

Cough! Cough! I stopped back in '95 and I put on 70 pounds. What is worse?

If you do a little research the oldest person that ever lived stop smoking when she was 117 years old. She started smoking a few years later and lived to be 122. Go figure.

I agree smoking doesn't prolong your life but sure as shit it's enjoyable.

Avaz383

this seems like a win/win tblake, some people will stop smoking and be healthier (or less unhealthy) and the others will provide more revenue...i can't help but wonder if the revenue lost by people stopping smoking will be ofset by those still buying packs with the new tax...

billybob

damn now everyone is going to be abitch when I want to bum one. Those guys who go around selling single cigarettes better step it up!

tblake

They're not interested in saving anyone's life. They're desperate for revenue. Absolutely pathetic!

Rocknrope

Good, I hope it goes to $20 bucks a pack.

Guest

Smoke pot... it's cheaper.

babyhitler

The high price has worked. All my chain smoking friends quit. And most of my friends are Investment bankers and market analysts who can afford to smoke.

Kojak

Go to Harlem and buy cartons from the corner guys off 125th street. You can't beat their prices.

Outter Burrougher

yeah, but they don't actually hope that you quit; they just want more of your money and no one can really come out against such a tax unless they want to be painted as advocating smoking. The deli by my work (18th street and 5th ave) is now charging 12 bucks a pack.