NY State Approves $4.35/Pack Tax On Cigarettes  As we reported
over the weekend, the NY State Legislature was considering a
proposal to increase the state’s already high $2.75/pack tax on
cigarettes by $1.60. And last night, the ayes had it over the
coughing and hacking nos, making New York the most expensive
place to smoke in the U.S.  More precisely, New York City, which
charges its own cigarette tax on top of the state and federal
taxes, is the most expensive place to light up, with smokers
paying $6.85/pack in taxes alone.  In addition to the cigarette
tax, the bill also raised taxes on cigars and chewing tobacco by
29%.  The tax hike, which is expected to bring in around $290
million a year, is part of the state’s plan to do something
about its $9.2 billion deficit.  “We are going to collect
revenue and ensure that young people don’t have access to cheap
smokes,” said one politician.  This increase now leapfrogs New
York over Rhode Island’s $3.46/pack cigarette tax and into first
place.  While the state