Smokers Cope With New Cigarette Tax Hike
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New Yorkers already pay $5 for a cappuccino and have been known to fork over $12 for a martini. But there was plenty of grumbling from smokers as they began paying more than $7 for a pack of cigarettes.
“Ten years ago I said I would never pay $5 for a pack of cigarettes, but if it’s something that you want to do, you’ll find a way to do it,” said Rochelle Frederick, 43. The pack cost her $7.50.
It costs so much because New York City has bumped its per-pack tax from 8 cents to $1.50. It was a nasty blow to smokers, who were just getting used to a state tax increase of $1.50 per pack that took effect in May.
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