Increased Tobacco Tax Kicks In; Anti-smoking Groups Say "Quit" - Mid-Hudson News
Cigarettes now cost an additional $1.25 per pack now that the state tax increased Tuesday. Total state tax is now $2.75 per pack. That’s driving more smokers across the state line to Pennsylvania, known for low tobacco prices.
POW'R Against Tobacco, a coalition group from Putnam, Orange, Westchester and Rockland counties, says there is a better option. POW’R took the occasion to urge people to stop smoking, or not take it up in the first place.
"By making this tax increase, eventually the lives of over 77,000 youths will be repented from becoming smokers and more than 37,000 adult New York smokers will avoid a tobacco caused death by quitting," said Maureen Kenney, director of POW'R.
For those smokers who won’t quit, Kenney said buying cigarettes will increase the state coffers through the increased tax.
