Cig tax would puff up prices by $1.50
March 5, 2008
A coalition of health groups will call Wednesday on state leaders to dig another $1.50 out of the pockets of smokers every time they buy a pack of cigarettes.
With New York facing a budget gap of some $5 billion, American Cancer Society activist Russell Sciandra predicted lawmakers will latch onto the idea of jacking up the cigarette excise tax.
With New York City already imposing its own $1.50 a pack tax and the state tax now at $1.50, the hike being sought by groups such as the American Heart Association would bring the total levy in the five boroughs to $4.50.
“We’ve talked to quite a few members of the Legislature, and the reception we’re getting is quite favorable,” Sciandra said.
Mayor Bloomberg, meanwhile, is asking Albany to add another 50 cents to the city tax.
The Spitzer administration had no immediate comment on the proposal.
Source: NY Daily News
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