Cigarette Tax Raised by $1 as of Today

YS Gold 

As of Friday, September 1, the excise tax on cigarettes sold in New York State has gone up by $1, to a total of $5.35 per box, making New York’s cigarette tax the highest in the nation.

This is the latest effort by the state to suppress cigarette use. Research shows that higher cigarette taxes lower consumption, according to the American Lung Association.  

Not everyone is happy with this change, however. 

The Alliance of Small Retailers released a statement in which they lambasted the tax hike. “Currently, New York State already has the highest black market for cigarettes in the country,” they said in a statement. “A staggering 54% of cigarettes consumed in the state are sold illegally. Legitimate, taxpaying stores are forced to compete with unscrupulous retailers and individuals selling cigarettes on street corners.

“Our stores, located in underserved communities, will now confront additional economic obstacles due to high taxes and insufficient enforcement of excise tax violations. This tax increase worsens an already dire situation, disproportionately impacting the legitimate store owners, their employees, and their customers.