The Insane Price to Smoke

[Wingfoot]

Cigarettes Top $9 a Pack in New York City

By Jennifer 8. Lee - April 1, 2009, 7:30 am

Cigarettes in New York City will top $9 a pack — and in some cases more than $10 — starting Wednesday, 1 April 2009, as a federal tax more than doubles to $1.01 per pack. With taxes having increased last year as well, the price of each pack now carries $5.26 in government fees in New York City, making this one of the most expensive places in the country to smoke.

The city’s health department, which has campaigned against smoking since 2002, is using this as another opportunity.

A 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by 3 percent to 5 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and deters young people from picking up the smoking habit.

Last year, when New York State’s cigarette tax rose to $2.75 from $1.50, 2,700 calls flooded 311 in the course of one week from people seeking to quit smoking, the city’s health department said.

Health officials estimate that the latest increase will cause as many as 20,000 adult New Yorkers to quit smoking. As a result, they are conducting a free nicotine patch giveaway on Wednesday in public hospitals and other sites. (Times and places are listed below.) “We want to provide as much support as possible for people who are trying to quit,” said Andrew Goodman, acting deputy commissioner for health promotion and disease prevention.

While a 2007 study from the city found that higher taxes also prompt people to buy from Indian reservations, duty-free shops and other low-tax venues, this federal tax — which is to finance the states’ Children’s Insurance Program — touches all states. In addition, budget shortfalls are pushing more than 20 states to look to tobacco for revenue, even those that have avoided cigarette taxes for years or decades.

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[bareclaw]

That's crazy, it's about $5 for marlboro in charlotte area. I have switched to king mountain they get the job done for half the price.

[TheCableVine]

This will encourage a huge black market.

I also heard that the taxes on bulk tobacco (roll your own) went from 1.09 a pound to about 21.00 a pound. CRAZY

[AULupstate]

Keep raising the prices to get us to quit!!!!

I will ALWAYS have my Kool Milds Baby!!!!!!

My mother didn't raise a quiter!

Nobody likes a Quiter!

Quiters NEVER win!

[yahoo]

hate it for you guys that smoke!!!!

[beyond help]

Big brother just needs their money.

[AULupstate]

That is actually a little false. Smokes in the city are 'between' $9 to $10 per pack but that's only in the buroughs (Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island). Out on Long Island and up in Yonkers and White Plains they are cheaper and it depends on what store you go to.

I go to the same store every day, mine are $6.54 there. Right across the street there are 2 other stores and they are a dollar more. It doesn't make any sense but then again NOT MUCH DOES these days.

[beyond help]

It's going to be cheaper in the near future to smoke pot.

[Wingfoot]

On my February trip to Vegas, the casino I was staying at had vending machines selling packs of smokes for $7. I was thinking that was outrageous. I guess I don't recognize a bargain when I see one.

My smoker buddy from Charlotte NC said that while he was at the Black Jack table in the casino, he ordered drinks with a pack of smokes and all it cost him was a $1 tip to the cocktail waitress.

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[underground quester]

This will encourage a huge black market.

I also heard that the taxes on bulk tobacco (roll your own) went from 1.09 a pound to about 21.00 a pound. CRAZY

Yep Steve, you are bang on. The Canadian Government has used tobacco as a source of ever increasing revenue for years. AND, there is a fairly substantial black market in it as well. To some extent, coming up from the U.S. from the various Indian Reservations that share a common border.

Have not smoked a day in my life so, I do not give anything back to the government from this source. I know, I know, what the hell kinda socialist am I....supposed to be sharing the wealth?

[AULupstate]

Well NY State care about 'our' health and for those with kids in the households health as well (which I do see a little common sense there).

Make no mistake about it though, Albany (Capitol of NY) just wants us to live longer so we can keep paying the other outrageous taxes this state has for a longer period of time. They know some of us will NEVER quit so they want our long term revinue earlier.

Of course I don't know if that's true and I have no factual evidence to support my theory but it sounds good.

[sprayandpray]

"Vanderbilt University economist Kip Viscusi studied the net costs of smoking-related spending and savings and found that for every pack of cigarettes smoked, the country reaps a net cost savings of 32 cents. "

The above quote is based on the fact that Non-Smokers outlive Smokers by an averge of 10 years, thus saving society money on extended care. I thank all you Smokers for helping keep my taxes a little lower.

[AULupstate]

You're welcome!

[RD_Wrangler]

"Vanderbilt University economist Kip Viscusi studied the net costs of smoking-related spending and savings and found that for every pack of cigarettes smoked, the country reaps a net cost savings of 32 cents. "

The above quote is based on the fact that Non-Smokers outlive Smokers by an averge of 10 years, thus saving society money on extended care. I thank all you Smokers for helping keep my taxes a little lower.

You're Welcome!!!

[ifinditunderground]

You are very welcome.