Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City recently announced a package of proposals that would include raising the price of cigarettes from $10.50 to $13, reports USA Today.
“When it comes to New Yorkers’ health, big tobacco is public enemy number one,” the mayor said. “Today, we are taking a stand against these companies to not only reduce smoking and tobacco usage in New York City, but also save lives.”
The five-pronged package of proposed bills would:
• Raise the minimum price for all tobacco products.
• Reduce through attrition the number of tobacco retailers.
• Create a retail license for e-cigarettes and cap the number of sellers.
• Require all residential buildings to create a smoking policy and disclose it to current and would-be tenants.
• Ban sales at pharmacies.
The goal of the program would be to reduce the city’s more than 900,000 smokers by 160,000 over the next three years. The bills will be reviewed by the City Council’s Health Committee on April 27.
Get the whole story at www.usatoday.com
In other words DiBlasio needs more money to pay for the many NY welfare programs. Typical shakedown…
I suppose it hasn’t occurred to the geniuses in Deblasio’s administration that this will create or enhance a thriving black market.