For those planning on moving to NY or those traveling, I'd reccomend quitting or bringing your own.

Today an additional $1.50 tax was added to cigarettes, going from the already highest in the state average of $5.79 a pack to an astronomical $7.71 a pack.

I honestly love this move. When reading many articles in the paper, alot of smokers are on their last pack because they will no longer be able to afford the habit. Some are still willing to continue the deathly habit.

This brings in an additional $265 million into the state, and hopefully increases longevity in smokers who decide it's time to quit.

Quote Originally Posted by New York Post


June 4, 2008 -- Angry New Yorkers had smoke coming out of their ears yesterday as they began paying the highest cigarette taxes in the country - and the price of a pack reached as high as $12.

The state's $1.25 hike in its excise tax means smokers will pay $2.75 in taxes per pack, along with $1.50 a pack in city excise taxes - and sales taxes on top of that.

"It's ridiculous," said Kathy Rodriguez, 43, of Staten Island, who works in Downtown Brooklyn and whose Virginia Slims went up from $7 to $8.50 a pack.

In Manhattan, at the Union Square News at 100 West 14th Street, Camels went up from $7.75 to $9 a pack and manager Foysol Ahmed, 22, said "a lot of people are angry" and about 10 to 15 customers walked out. At the Food Depot at 138 Fifth Avenue , the price of a pack of Camels went from $8.67 to $12. "We've had a lot of complaints," said manager Jay Sohn.