Now What?: January

Community Comments

Rules, Regs and Political Snips

By Melinda Eppler

Talking Tobacco Tax, New Bills of Health?
Calling all smokers.
You have about a year to give up the nasty habit or be prepared to reach deeper into your pocket to pay for each pack you purchase.
    Advocates for two separate, tobacco-tax measures are gearing up to compete for more smoking money. And, given that it’s been seven years since the last tobacco-tax increase, it’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when, how much and who gets the booty. Voter-say will affect some of the decisions.
    Surprisingly, California’s current tobacco tax is significantly lower than other states. California smokers currently contribute 87 cents per pack to the state’s coffer, while smokers in Rhode Island pay an additional $2.47, and in New Jersey, $2.40. That’s quite a difference. Some individual cities have even elected to place a surtax on top of the state tax. A pack of cigs in New York City, for example, can cost as much as $7 or $8. No wonder some New Yorkers are so cranky!

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