NYC Cigarettes To Cost $11

June 23rd, 2010 - 7:37 pm ICT by Pen Men At Work  

uyt June 23, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The smokers residing in NYC are already burdened by the high tax on cigarettes. The cost of cigarettes is now expected to inflate further putting the smokers in trouble.

The State tax that will be imposed on the packs of cigarettes is expected to provide an additional income for the state treasury. The bill was signed by the legislature on Monday and is expected to be implemented on July 1st.

Governor David Paterson, endorsed it by signing the bill. The New Yorkers will now have to dole out $5.85 more on each pack which will take the cost of a pack of cigarettes up to $11. The additional revenue, thus earned, is expected to be spent on various health care measures of the New York City. The total amount is also expected to cross $440 million.

The tax on cigarettes will also be levied on the reservations for the Native Americans. Revenue from the reservations alone will bring in $150 million for the state in the remaining months of 2010. Next year, the amount is expected to cross the $500 million mark. This was confirmed by Senator Jeffrey Klein who currently represents Bronx and Westchester County.

Randy King, who represents the Shinnecock Indian Nation has volunteered to take the news of increased tax to the members of the tribe. The tribe has been recognized by the federal government only recently. However, the news is not expected to go down well with the ordinary members housed in Shinnecock Indian Nation. Cigarettes could be obtained tax free from the stores within the reservations before.

New Yorkers currently pay the highest amount in taxes for cigarettes with Chicago following behind. The increased tax will now mean that the state smokers will have to continue to shell out more money or give up smoking all together.

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