New York State agrees to $1.25 increase in cigarette tax

Story Created: Apr 2, 2008 at 4:30 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 2, 2008 at 4:37 PM EST

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The New York Legislature has agreed to boost
the state cigarette tax by $1.25 per pack.

State budget office spokesman Jeffrey Gordon says the tax would
raise $265 million for the budget, much of which would be used for
health programs. The hike will bring the tax to $2.75.

The average price of a pack of cigarettes is about $5.82 statewide.

The original proposal was for a $1.50 increase.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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