Stay Informed

Sign up for news & alerts

Already signed up?
Login here
What Can I Do?


Get Help
Need alcohol or drug help for yourself or someone else? GET HELP
Resources
Resources
Find useful publications, online documents & more.


DrugScreening.org


 
Quitline Calls Spike After NY Cigarette Tax Increase
June 17, 2008

Email
Email
Print
Print
SubscribeSubscribe
News Summary

Calls to New York's Smoker's Quitline quadrupled in the first week after a new $2.75-per-pack cigarette tax went into effect, according to state health commissioner Richard Daines.

The Associated Press reported June 15 that the state raised its per-pack tax from $1.25 to $2.75 effective June 3. That has increased the price of a pack of cigarettes to between $6 and $8 in most parts of the state, while additional taxes have boosted the price to about $10 in New York City.

In the week following the tax increase, Quitline callers requested 7,900 stop-smoking kits, up from 1,722 requests during the same week last year.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by bookworn on 19 Jun 08 02:55 PM EDT
Puuuulease, Do you honestly think that this tax hike is for smokers to quit, because if you do I have a bridge to sell you.Nice and cheap. Money, Money, Money look at how much N.Y. state takes in on tobacco taxes, and how much it puts into smoking cessation in New York, Its criminal. Keep trying.

Posted by S. Washburn on 18 Jun 08 10:41 AM EDT
OK one comment. Why has taxes only affected cigarettes and not alcohol. Lets think about this, more teens die each year due to drunk drivers. Cigarettes take years to kill where as alcohol can take seconds. Yet its the smokers who suffer. Why not ban alcohol from restruants. I find the drunks very rude and i dont like having them around me at dinner. If New York wanted to be smart about this they raise the tax on alcohol also because after all, NY only cares about the money.

Your Turn! Post a public comment (read guidelines):

Name:

Comment:
(limit 200
words)
Enter this word
(help):		 Change

GUIDELINES: 
To keep this feature useful for everyone, please:

  1. Keep it clean, courteous, focused, and on-topic. Comments are meant for thoughtful discussion of the article published above.

  2. Do not post personal requests for help or general promotions for your organization (Get help).

  3. Proof your comments carefully, use good spelling and punctuation, and don't use ALL CAPS. Comments are published immediately and cannot be edited.

Deceptive, slanderous and commercially-motivated posts are prohibited. We reserve the right to remove comments not conforming to these guidelines. (Report a comment).

Have questions or feedback? Contact us.