Effective immediately, smokers in New York will face the nation’s steepest cigarette tax, with a $1 increase pushing the rate to $5.35 per pack.
The decision to raise the tax is aimed at curbing tobacco use, especially among the young and less affluent populations, both of which are disproportionately affected by smoking.
Jeanie Orr, the program manager at Tobacco Free Communities, highlighted the correlation between price hikes and reduced consumption, noting, “For every 10% increase in price, there will be a 4% decrease in smoking,” with the impact being even more pronounced among sensitive groups like the youth and those in lower income brackets.
Although this tax increase is anticipated to deter younger smokers, there remains a concern about flavored tobacco products that appeal to them.
Nonetheless, the state projects that the $1 per pack increment might prevent over 15,000 tobacco-related deaths annually.
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