ALBANY, N.Y. - New Yorkers start paying the highest cigarettetaxes in the nation today with the latest $1.25 spike per pack thatofficials expect to bring in $265 million a year.
Convenience stores across the state and the smokers who will bepaying the price are angry about the change, but health officialshail the tax increase as a success. Cigarette taxes will raise atotal of $1.3 billion for the state budget in fiscal year 2008-09,including the new tax.
"Isn't that something - to say that I'm excited about a taxincrease? But I am," said Dr. Richard Daines, the New York healthcommissioner. "This is a public health victory. We know one of thereally effective tools to …
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