Cigarette Tax Takes Hold
04/04/02
New York smokers are coughing up an extra 39 cents for a pack of
cigarettes today, bringing the average cost of a pack to more than $5 in
the city.
The boost in the state's tax, gives New York the highest cigarette tax
in the nation. And if Mayor Michael Bloomberg has his way, city smokers
eventually could pay even more.
In his budget plan, Bloomberg proposed raising the city's taxes on
cigarettes to $1.50 a pack, up from the current 8 cents. The state
Legislature would have to approve such a hike.
Today's tax increase coincides with the seventh annual "Kick Butts Day,"
an event where children take a stand against smoking.
Among other things, Girl Scouts in Queens were out in force cleaning up
cigarette butts on the streets.
Cigarettes
