NEW YORK, January 19, 2002...  Despite claims that New York City smokers now buy their cigarettes on the Internet or elsewhere, New York City officials estimate that the City took in approximately $106 million more in cigarette taxes this fiscal year than last. 

 

"While it is true that some smokers buy their cigarettes on the Internet or elsewhere," says Joe Cherner, president of SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc. "such purchases do not offset the increase in revenues generated by higher cigarette taxes.  The reality is that when a city or state raises cigarette taxes, it always takes in more tax revenue.  There has never been an exception."

 

"Of course, we support the City's efforts to go after cigarette sellers who illegally avoid the City's cigarette tax," adds Cherner.  "We just want to make it clear that increases in cigarette taxes lead to increased revenues for the city as well as decreased rates of cigarette consumption."

 

When Mayor Bloomberg raised NYC's cig tax, he made a wish.  "I hope one day the revenues from this tax go to zero," said the Mayor. 

 

"The entire world's health community joins Mayor Bloomberg in hoping revenues from cig taxes one day go to zero," says Cherner.  "In the meantime, the City can enjoy the benefit of higher revenues to partially offset the costs of smoking." 

 

Cigarette smoking is estimated to cost City taxpayers more than $2 billion a year in health care costs and lost productivity.  Despite the higher cigarette tax, taxpayers who don't smoke will still be subsidizing smoking.  Just less.

 

Joseph W. Cherner, President
SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc.
http://www.smokefree.org

 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."       Margaret Mead