NY Cigarette Thefts Spike

While New York's recent excise tax has prompted many smokers to quit, it has also led to an increase in theft of the nearly $10 packs.

August 26, 2010

GREECE, NY - While New York??s recent cigarette tax hike has prompted many smokers to quit--as many as 86,000, according to state health officials ?" they have also led to an increase in theft of the nearly $10 packs, MPNnow.com reports.

Since Governor David Paterson $4.35 excise tax on a pack of cigarettes took place July 1, over-the-counter and "smash and grabs" have spiked in Monroe County. Of the 18 cigarette-related thefts reported this year in the county, nearly half of those happened in July.

The thefts have occurred as either a "smash and grab," whereby the suspects have smashed windows or doors and then grabbed packs of cigarettes, or by distracting cashiers and then stealing the cigarettes and fleeing.

The thefts have focused on Newport cigarettes, a specificity that has police puzzled. Irondequoit Police Sgt. Barry VanNostrand said many of the thefts are made for an intended resale on the streets.

"The environment isn??t such in Irondequoit where it is conducive to people selling individual cigarettes as it might be in the city," he said. "There are people more frequently out on street corners in the city."

The New York Association of Convenience Stores said theft is not the only law smokers may be breaking. The association said some are crossing into border regions where the New York tax isn't applicable, while others are making trips to Indian reservations.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement