I believe Mayor Bloomberg stated that he would raise taxes on cigs so high he would be glad not to receive any revenue(ie make them so expensive everyone will quit.)
Of course this ignores evidence and experience provided by the WOD. Reported hijackings and cigarette smuggling operations have taken off as a result of high taxes. Indian reservations are doing quite a brisk business in cig sales here in San Diego.
The cost to combat these crimes -- along with people purchasing from the Internet and Indian reservations -- will probably more than offset whatever increase the state gets in taxes. These pols need a basic course in economics.