From: Joe@smokefree.org
Date: Sat, 03/11/06
To send a letter in support of NYC cig tax increase, go to
www.smokefree.net/nyc_tax
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NYC Proposes Cig Tax Increase
State approval needed
New York City has proposed raising its cigarette excise tax by 50 cents per
pack. To take effect, the city needs approval from the state legislature.
According to the NYC Department of Health, smoking costs New York City an
estimated $4.7 billion annually ($2.7 billion in direct medical costs and an
additional $2.0 billion in lost future earnings). The city currently takes in
only a small fraction of that amount in cigarette excise taxes.
"An increased cigarette tax means that smokers will be paying more of their
share of health costs," says Joe Cherner, president of SmokeFree Educational
Services, Inc. "The rest of us will still be subsidizing smoking, but by less."
"An additional benefit of higher cigarette prices is that fewer children will
begin to smoke," adds Cherner.
To send a letter in support of NYC cig tax increase, go to
www.smokefree.net/nyc_tax
Joseph W. Cherner
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret
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