Smoking Tax And Your Personal Tax Advocate

Still cleaning out the inbox…

Apparently tired of nagging you and your kids about smoking, your family doctor is taking it to the state: The New York State Academy of Family Physicians has broached the idea of a $1-per-pack tax hike in New York, which would boost the current tax from $1.50 to $2.50.

The group, which represents more than 4,500 family physicians and medical students in the state, estimates the state’s windfall would be $500 million, and suggests some of it go to prevention and quitting efforts, although it argues that a tax hike itself would go a long way toward discouarging teen use (and encourage some adults to quit, too).

Also, the New York State Taxpayers Union reports that a bill to create a new position of “taxpayer advocate” passed the Legislature. It would be an ombudsman to look at taxpayer problems, identify the top 15 biggest each year and recommend policy and legislative changes, and address individual issues. Among its powers would be to halt action against a taxpayer while underlying issues are resolved.


  1. Ed Rooney says:

    A government for the people and by the people now requires a tax advocate to protect the people from the people’s government when it collects the people’s money.

    Who’s going to protect us from the tax advocate?

  2. jeffinputnam says:

    Hmmm… how about a tax on red meat or eggs? I can think of a thousand avoidable things that kill people yet tobacco seems to be the one thing that gets hit the hardest. I suppose giving up McDonald’s and that egg and butter bagel is just too hard.

  3. hawkny2006 says:

    Aawwwww, come on. How about $2 increase in the butt tax and an equivolent reduction in the state’s gasoline tax? Now, that makes sense. Otherwise, any increase in taxes will only give the politicos more tax revenues to dole out to their friends, constituencies and pet projects.

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