Smokers, cigarette sellers fuming over tax that takes a pack up to at least $12.75

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

No butts about it - smokers and shopkeepers are not fans of New York's $1.60 cigarette tax hike.

In the space of three hours Thursday, four customers at a convenience shop called Candy Store in Times Square declined to buy a pack when they heard the price was up to $12.75.

"This hurts small businesses - big-time," said Nashwan Alokam, a worker at the Eighth Ave. store.

The increase that took effect Thursday jacked the total tax on smokes sold in New York to $6.85 per pack.

"That's crazy. I don't know how people smoke in New York," said Jodi Sharek, 37, a tourist from Laguna Niguel, Calif., who toted five packs of $5 Parliament Lights from home for her trip.

Two customers stopped by the Garment District deli where Ihtisham Thakur works on Wednesday night to tell him they planned to quit smoking because of the tax hike.

"The illegal cigarette sellers will make more money because of this. The legal sellers won't," Thakur said.

One smoker who wouldn't give his name said he bypasses the taxes by buying from bootleggers who peddle out-of-state cigs on city sidewalks for $6 per pack.

Smokers who did shell out the extra cash weren't happy about it.

"I couldn't believe it," said Robert O'Connell, 40, who paid $14.40 for a pack of Newports in Union Square.

The Brooklyn man's fiancee has been using the tax hike as an argument to get him to quit his pack-and-a-half-a-day habit.

"What can I say to her?" O'Connell sighed. "I'm a smoker."

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/07/01/2010-07-01_smokers_cigarette_sellers_fuming_over_tax_that_takes_a_pack_up_to_at_least_1275.html

[Susita 175]

everyone out here on Long Island stocks up on cartons from the Shinnecock reservation

[Obama 2012 1,714]

ridiculous.

Gotta love those SIN!!!! taxes.

New York is whack.

[ScottThuy 140]

[mendeleev 68]

Everyone knows nicotine addicts are entitled to satisfy their habit at low cost. Its part of the whole culture of privileged entitlement.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Everyone knows nicotine addicts are entitled to satisfy their habit at low cost. Its part of the whole culture of privileged entitlement.

sarcasm yes, but you can't be serious...

Think of something you enjoy/do to relax/whatever that may/may not be the best thing in the world for you, and imagine it being taxed to hell...

[alienlovechild 75]

The increase that took effect Thursday jacked the total tax on smokes sold in New York to $6.85 per pack.

"The illegal cigarette sellers will make more money because of this. The legal sellers won't," Thakur said.

One smoker who wouldn't give his name said he bypasses the taxes by buying from bootleggers who peddle out-of-state cigs on city sidewalks for $6 per pack.

"I couldn't believe it," said Robert O'Connell, 40, who paid $14.40 for a pack of Newports in Union Square.

Can't believe anyone would almost $15/pack for smokes and I use to smoke. Smokers should either quit, load up in say Pennsylvania or help out the mafia by their bootleg smokes shipped in from out-of-state.

Gotta love the source on where to buy cheaper cigarettes.

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0097.pdf

Makes me think pot is probably cheaper than tobacco in NY.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

sarcasm yes, but you can't be serious...

Think of something you enjoy/do to relax/whatever that may/may not be the best thing in the world for you, and imagine it being taxed to hell...

You mean like boozing it up and getting a tan while running a small business and owning property in California?

[mendeleev 68]

sarcasm yes, but you can't be serious...

Think of something you enjoy/do to relax/whatever that may/may not be the best thing in the world for you, and imagine it being taxed to hell...

I think it is great that these taxes are as high as they are. And it amuses me to hear people whine about it as though they were entitled to something else.

I firmly believe in the Polluter Pays Principle and am glad to see it applied to individuals.

[SuperDuper! 230]

ciggy butts should cost $20 dollars per pack!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

I think it is great that these taxes are as high as they are. And it amuses me to hear people whine about it as though they were entitled to something else.

I firmly believe in the Polluter Pays Principle and am glad to see it applied to individuals.

oh this should be good. I'm all ears on what's being polluted by cigarettes.

[wayno 9]

Two things I'm glad for. #1, I don't live in New York. #2, I don't smoke---anymore. 11 years since my last cig. On another note though, I believe it's f'n rediculas to just keep adding taxes on everything. PURE BS in my opinion. When is all this nonsence gonna end. Come on. So some people smoke, no biggie. Thats their choice. let em do it. Where the hell is this taxing gonna end? Did I mention I'm glad I don't live in New York?

[SuperDuper! 230]

Two things I'm glad for. #1, I don't live in New York. #2, I don't smoke---anymore. 11 years since my last cig. On another note though, I believe it's f'n rediculas to just keep adding taxes on everything. PURE BS in my opinion. When is all this nonsence gonna end. Come on. So some people smoke, no biggie. Thats their choice. let em do it. Where the hell is this taxing gonna end? Did I mention I'm glad I don't live in New York?

new york hater. ok we get it! what else ya got?

[sly_wolf 199]

You cant solve an addiction problem with higher taxes. Higher taxes will just create an underground economy and more crime since it now becomes much more lucrative. Cigs will be stolen and sold etc.

[SMR 368]

I think it is great that these taxes are as high as they are. And it amuses me to hear people whine about it as though they were entitled to something else.

I firmly believe in the Polluter Pays Principle and am glad to see it applied to individuals.

I don't smoke and never have. But I think your definition of entitlement is a little whack.