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The city is d-e-s-p-e-r-a-t-e for money, so what’s a mayor to do? Declare WAR on honest tobacco-selling Indians, that’s what! Mayor Bloomberg is suing eight Long Island smoke shops on the Poospatuck Reservation in Mastic, Long Island for selling cigarettes (about $5 per pack) without charging local and state tax. He contends that if cigarettes weren't sold in these stores, they’d be bought in New York City instead. He believes this has cost the state $525 million and the city $195 million since 2004 however estimates vary. He’s called upon Governor Paterson for action. The governor is reportedly “negotiating.” An Indian spokesman believes they’re being unfairly blamed for the fiscal problems of others. That may be true. According to New York state law, cigarette buyers are responsible for reporting tax-free purchases, not the stores. Indian smoke shops operate legally throughout New York. These establishments buy cigarettes wholesale and then sell them without tax. All legal. No “smoke and mirrors.” Without a change in state law and unless NYC can somehow prove that cigarette buyers would purchase packs in the five boroughs and not on the reservation, Mayor Bloomberg’s case will likely go "up in smoke." One other thought. Since Mayor Bloomberg is actively engaged in reducing smoking in New York City, shouldn't he be looking to curtail sales as opposed to making money from them?
In June, New York State's tax on a pack of cigarettes went from $1.50 to $2.75. Since then, more and more New Yorkers are calling 311 for help to quit; three times as many as before. More are requesting free nicotine patches, too. At up to $10.00 per pack, $300.00 per month for a pack-a-day habit, a tipping point may have been reached. In 2007, only 16.9% of New Yorkers smoked. Smoking is certainly very different socially and economically compared to when Bogie lit up. Though there’s something inherently wrong with government imposing taxes to control any type of personal behavior, it seems to be a good thing here. If the day ever comes when smokers drop below 10% of our population for example, where will the government make up the lost revenue and impose a new tax "to do us good?" Perhaps on all super-sized food orders?
New York cigarette smokers now pay the highest cigarette taxes in the country. State excise taxes were just raised to $2.75. Coupled with $1.50 a pack for city excise taxes; cigarettes are taxing more than just your breathing! Cigarettes now sell locally for $8.50 to $12.00 … per pack! Not surprisingly, retailers are getting cigarette-burned with complaints from anxious customers. With a tightening economy, the choice between cigarettes in the pocket and food in the belly may be no choice at all. Nicotine addicts may soon have to settle for a compromise solution and take to chewing tobacco to satisfy their cravings and hunger. Hey, puffers! Isn't it time to quit smoking for good?
Is cigarette smoking coming to an end in New York City? Last year, 16.9% of New Yorkers smoked. That’s down from 21.5% when Mayor Bloomberg took office in 2002. It’s also the lowest total in the last fifty years! One wonders if the mayor's ban on smoking in bars or the city’s higher tax on cigarettes had more of an impact than common sense. Whatever the reason/s, the drop from 2006’s 17.5% to 2007’s 16.9% figure will save an estimated 100,000 people from dying prematurely; hopefully nobody you hate.
