Wow! Cigarette Costs In New York Are Already Steep and About To Get Higher
As of 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), more than 28 million Americans smoke cigarettes. That's approximately the equivalent of every single resident of New York State AND New Jersey combined. Holy smokes, that's a lot of people.
In New York State only 12%, 2.4 million residents, smoke but every single one of you are about to pay more. Not only more per pack but more tax on cigarettes than any other State in the Nation.
Governor Hochul's "Lead the Way to a Tobacco-free Generation" campaign will increase the excise tax on cigarettes from $4.35 to $5.35 AND prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products. When does this take effect? Friday September 1, 2023, based on the Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget.
You won't find a bargain in nearby States either. A pack of cigarettes in New York costs around $10.53 per pack but, Wise Voter reports that Connecticut has the second most expensive cigarettes at $10.04 per pack, Rhode Island is 3rd at $9.87 per pack and Massachusetts 4th at $9.75 per pack.
The cost of cigarettes, among other things, over the decades has increased quite a bit. Here are some approximate costs from the past.
- 1950's - .25 cents per pack
- 1960's - .33 cents per pack
- 1970's - .57 cents per pack
- 1980's - $1.50 per pack
- 1990's - $2.50 per pack
- 2000's - $4.40 per pack
- 2010's - $5.84 per pack