Healthy Living: Local News

Your Health: Good News For Smokers, Bad News For Public Health

Tools

Story Updated: Apr 6, 2012

What wasn't in the New York state budget affects smokers.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget earlier this year sought to  close a loophole in the law by taxing loose tobacco at the same rate as cigarettes: $4.35 an ounce.

Anti-smoking advocates heralded the move, saying it would have positive impacts on public health.

But the tax increase didn't make it into the final budget and at least one convenience store owner is pleased.

Mark Bonner of the LeRay Street Dairy Market said taxes like the one proposed do little to stop people from smoking.

"They do just push them to other locations, whether it be Indian reservations, through the mail or online," Bonner said.

"So, they're going to get the tobacco, just not through the local people."

Not everyone is pleased. Tobacco Prevention Awareness Cessation Coalition (T-PACC) of Jefferson and Lewis Counties has told 7 News that increasing taxes on tobacco products have been very effective at getting smokers to quit.

They also help prevent young people from starting in the first place.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Audrey Silk said on Saturday, Apr 7 at 3:25 AM

The headline is a misnomer. It's Good News for Smokers and Good News for Private Lives. I find it contemptible that a private citizen's INFORMED (it's unquestionable the public has been beaten over the head with the message) choice to smoke is defined as a public issue in any sense of the word. These tax increases are paternalistic intrusions into the lives of adults by government abusing the power of taxation. Therefore it's a victory for everyone -- not just smokers -- when government stays out of our private affairs over consumption of legal products. And no, I don't want to hear "financial cost to society" as a defense. It's nonsense. Not only is it really the healthiest among us that cost society most in the long run but everyone does something that can be said to "cost" someone else. Got a problem with the cost debate? Then argue that in the realm of which it really belongs: Entitlements. Founder, NYC Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment (C.L.A.S.H.)

86670163
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

WWNY TV 7 - News, Weather and Sports for and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.