Posted on 08/06/2002 3:31:28 AM PDT by kattracks
NEW YORK, Aug 06, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Cigarette sales in New York plummeted almost 50 percent in July after the city raised the tax on each pack from 8 cents to $1.50, according to new figures from the city's department of finance.
New Yorkers purchased 15.6 million cigarette packs last month, down from 29.2 million packs in July 2001. But because the tax was so much higher, millions more tax dollars poured into city coffers - $12.3 million, compared to $2.3 million during the same period last year.
The new tax, which Mayor Michael Bloomberg supported to help close a record budget gap, drove the price of some name brands to more than $7 per pack.
There are no studies yet to determine whether New Yorkers are quitting smoking or simply taking other avenues to fix their nicotine cravings, such as online mail order buys or trips out of town.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved
Listen: Bloomberg was a DemocRAT but was talked into changing parties in order to run for Mayor of New York City!
I don't care about his cutting spending. What I DO care about is how he has chit on the smokers, while he, himself, smoked pot.
RINO Mayor Bloomberg said:"If it were totally up to me, I would raise the cigarette tax so high the revenues from it would go to zero," said the mayor, who has said he hopes that the higher taxes will persuade smokers to quit and will prevent children from becoming smokers.
It's NOT about the children! It's about the MONEY!!
He is a dick weed, and I have NO respect for him.
On NOW at RadioFR!
Tonight The Shrew will host William S. Lind of the Free Congress Foundation on Radio Free Republic! Tune in to hear one of the foremost military writers discuss the article he has co-written with Paul Weyrich!
I also heard that Dan Fogerburg is having a concert for her to raise money. Were you the one who told me?
However, Collin's aid told me that Pingree is fast running out of money! LOL! GOOD!
Also, President Bush, while in Kennebuckport over the weekend, hosted a dinner for Collins at $250 a plate!!!!
Like the 14% income tax surcharge that just kicked in?
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