New York City smokers already pay the highest cigarette taxes in the nation, but a new state law will push those taxes even higher this summer, according to CNN.CNN reports:
The state legislature on Monday approved a bill adding an additional state tax of $1.60 to every pack sold, effective July 1. This bill, which was signed by Gov. David Paterson on Monday, will raise the state tax to $4.35 per pack.
New York City smokers pay an additional municipal tax of $1.50 per pack, for a current total tax of $4.25 per pack. That’s the highest state-local tax whammy in the country, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Chicago is the runner-up, at $3.66 per pack.
This new tax increase means that smokers in the city will pay $5.85 per pack in taxes. This drives the average local price up to nearly $11 per pack, according to some estimates.
The tax hike is aimed at generating an additional $440 million in 2010-2011 tax revenue to support healthcare programs.
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