Friday, November 26, 2010

NYP:Black-market cigarettes costing NY $20M a month

Akwasasne Cigarettes-Native
Ogdensburg, boarded on the North by Canada and the East by the Nation of Akwasasne we have not felt the impacted of the $4.00 NYS tax on cigarettes.  The Nation of Akwasasne should thank NYS for the increase in demand for Native Cigarettes.  Underground cigarette sales have increased in Ogdensburg, trips to the Duty Free Shops have increased, and the trips to the reservation have increased 10 fold.  Those that smoke will continue to buy cigarettes when they can get them at prices they can afford. The only alternative would be to quit smoking...for our health and the added costs to our health care system it would be the best alternative. 


Get them by the Bag or Carton
 Legislators main goal in increasing taxes on cigarettes was to increase New York State income in tough economic times.  This has back fired and the deficit continues...NYS is losing approximately 20 million/months from underground trafficking and purchases on the reservation.  We are now experiencing layoffs at state facilities in Ogdensburg and St. Lawrence County.  With the highest unemployment rate North of New York City every job counts! 

This is the result of a bungled budget process that never balanced and was one of the contributing factors for ousting many of the Democrats in our legislature.

NYP Article

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I make a trip to the res. once a week and buy enough cigs for me and everyone else. They are willing to give you gas money and I make out in the deal.

Anonymous said...

Almost as bad as the drug dealers in Ogdensburg. They will have another black market to work in.

I wonder if they are still selling cigs on King Street. It has been going on for some time.

Why is it that everyone seems to know who is dealing drugs, selling cigs, and milking the system but they continue to elude the legal system.

Anonymous said...

The government really has no clue how business works. They figured they would double the tax which would double the income.

Basic economics when the price increases the demand decreases. The state has priced themselves out of business.

Anonymous said...

Just got back from the resorvation with 20 cartons of cigs. Smokers heaven.

Anonymous said...

Smoking cigarettes is not a crime. Yes, those who buy to resell is a different story.

We live in an over taxed state in a poor economy. Like with everything else, most of us shop for the best deal to save ourselves money.

I went to SC twice this year where Marlboro's were only like $35 a carton.

I think NY state causes many of its own problems with its tax craziness.

Anonymous said...

NYS the highest taxed state in the country with the best social programs around. We can be proud of that!

Anonymous said...

Just another underground racket in Ogdensburg. When money is evoled there will be winners, losers, and victums. We all lose as a community when a black market occurs. It is a sad state when the drug and cig market are the number one employer.