Link to taxes on a pack of cigarettes by states. NY is # 1 but not quite $5.85. VA is #50 at $0.30
https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0202.pdf
In high-tax areas like NYC, “loosies” give tobacco addicts an affordable fix while they wait for their black market contact to come through. They only people paying full “NYC” prices for a pack of cigarettes are the tourists.