Tobacco Control

Taxation

The New York City cigarette tax increased from $0.08 to $1.50 per pack on July 2002. In June 2008, the New York State tax increased from $1.50 to $2.75, making the average price of cigarettes in New York City $8.50. On April 1, 2009 a $0.62 federal excise tax further increased a pack of cigarettes in NYC to an average price of over $9.  A New York State increase of $1.60 on July 1, 2010 has pushed the average price of a pack of cigarettes in NYC to more than $11 - the most expensive pack in the Country.

Raising cigarette excise tax reduces smoking rates. Studies have shown that as cigarettes prices have increased, tobacco consumption has fallen. This will save lives, reduce premature deaths among adults, help smokers quit and prevent youth from becoming regular smokers.

Resources

• • Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids fact sheet, Responses to Misleading & Inaccurate Cigarette Company Arguments Against State Tobacco Tax Increases (pdf)
• • New York’s War on Tobacco Produces Record Fall in Smoking
• • How Cigarette Tax Evasion Hurts Everyone
• • Cigarette Taxes Save Lives and Raise Revenue