Posted on 12/28/2015 12:00:13 PM PST by lowbridge
New York is reaping the whirlwind of sky-high cigarette taxes with a wave of smuggling decimating the state's revenue.
New York holds the dubious honor of having the highest cigarette taxes in country, with the average pack of smokes in New York City costing as much as $10.60.
New York raised taxes on cigarettes to $4.35 in 2010 from $2.75. In total, cigarette taxes have increased by 190 percent since 2006. The sharp rise has resulted in a raft of unintended consequences which are dealing a significant blow to the state's finances.
New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli reports New York's revenue from cigarette taxes has plunged by $400 million over the past five years.
According to the The New York Post, a separate study by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shows the state lost a hefty $1.3 billion in uncollected taxes each year because smokers switched to cheaper alternatives.
Smokers responded to higher prices not by shelling out more cash at the store but by turning to the black market, crossing state lines and buying cheaper brands, such as Seneca, from Native American outlets.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailycaller.com ...
Bwahahahaha.
LOL
don’t worry....they’ll contend with this NOT by rolling back taxes but by stationing state troopers on the border roads and inspecting cars and trucks for “illegal” cigarettes...
The Native Americans and their casinos are pumping out cartons at record speed. Business is up $400 million.
Liberals really are arrogant and are really stupid; and, liberalism is a mental disorder.
But...but, people would NEVER change their buying habits just because of a price increase (tax).
...So say the tax-the-rich, tax-the-XYZ (hidden fees/etc.), etc. loony Left (I repeat myself)
Looks like they’ll have to raise cigarette taxes to make up the difference.
Remember that the cops were trying to enforce this tax when they killed that overweight black fellow earlier this year.
... on something else, like gasoline.
Liberals NEVER learn.
Shocking. Simply shocking. LOL!
How stupid is the NY legislature? They’re the only ones who didn’t see this coming.
Everybody I know takes the 20 minute ride into Pennsylvania to buy their cigarettes, where they cost a lot less. A LOT less. Screw NY.
NY residents also now have to comply with California emission standards for their cars. How did I find this out? My car needed a new catalytic converter, to the tune of $1400! Two shops in NY quoted me this price. So I took my car into Pennsylvania and paid $200.
Stupid, stupid NY liberals. They never anticipate the unintended consequences.
DUH!!! MORONS!!!
All the other state around New York benefitted. Same thing happens with Kansas and it’s ridiculously high cost of registering vehicles. Texas has benefited the most from this.
Just like during Prohibition, organized crime steps in to provide what the people want.
Unexpected!
Yep, liberals cannot conceive of people reacting in negative ways because they are incapable of believing that their grand schemes could be flawed.
Don’t know if they still do it but Washington state used to have a sliding scale on your yearly vehicle registration renewals. IF you had a new car, it could cost up to $400 per year to renew your tags.
Obviously they need to raise it higher to fix the problem. /s
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