Gov. David Paterson announced over the weekend that he plans to raise cigarette tax statewide. The proposal will be included in his next budget-extending legislation.
The new tax is slated to place $1.60 tax on the cost of a pack of cigarettes, raising it from $2.75 to $4.35—higher than the previous proposal to add $1 per pack. The taxes are projected to raise $290 million in extra revenue to help close a budget gap of $9.2 billion, reported Business Week.
Additional taxes will also be placed on various other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco and cigars. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids lauded the decision, with their president Kevin O'Flaherty saying it’s a boon for kids and consumers across the state.
“The planned tobacco tax increase is a tremendous victory for public health that will prevent kids from smoking, motivate smokers to quit, and save lives and health care dollars,” O'Flaherty said.
The new tax is slated to place $1.60 tax on the cost of a pack of cigarettes, raising it from $2.75 to $4.35—higher than the previous proposal to add $1 per pack. The taxes are projected to raise $290 million in extra revenue to help close a budget gap of $9.2 billion, reported Business Week.
Additional taxes will also be placed on various other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco and cigars. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids lauded the decision, with their president Kevin O'Flaherty saying it’s a boon for kids and consumers across the state.
“The planned tobacco tax increase is a tremendous victory for public health that will prevent kids from smoking, motivate smokers to quit, and save lives and health care dollars,” O'Flaherty said.
