Proposed Regulations Come Down Hard on Tobacco Retailers
Minimum Price Per Pack Would Hit $13
April 2017
NEW YORK – Several new proposals by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio would raise the price of cigarettes to at least $13 and reduce the number of retailers selling tobacco and ban sale of cigarettes at drug stores, among other regulations.
De Blasio announced that these legislative proposals have the goal of reducing the number of smokers in New York City by 160,000 over the next three years. Although smoking rates in New York City have decreased by 21.5% in 2002 and 14.3% in 2015, the city still has more than 900,000 smokers which includes 15,000 youth. In addition, there are 174,000 adults and 42,000 adolescents using e-cigarettes. These new proposals will decrease smoking rates by 12%, according to estimates.
“When it comes to New Yorkers’ health, big tobacco is public enemy No.1” he said. “These companies have used the same playbook for decades, and we can no longer sit by while the next generation becomes addicted.”
The mayor said a series of five legislative proposals will be introduced to raise the pack of cigarettes to $13:
1. Raising the minimum prices for all tobacco products, including cigarettes, and imposing a new 10% local tax on other tobacco products
2. Reducing through attrition the number of tobacco retailers citywide
3. Creating a retail license for e-cigarettes and capping the number of e-cigarette retailers
4. Requiring all residential building to create a smoking policy and disclosing it to both current and prospective tenants
5. Banning the sale of tobacco products at pharmacies.
Sources: “Proposed Regulations Come Down Hard on Tobacco Retailers” by Steve Holtz on April 20th, 2017
©2017 Royal Buying Group