New York State Tops U.S. Cigarette Smuggling List

With the country's highest per-pack cigarette tax, the Empire State ranks the highest for cigarette smuggling.

January 11, 2013

New York State are bootlegged, making the Empire State tops in the U.S. for cigarette smuggling, Reuters reports.

Arizona and New Mexico are two and three on the list with 54.4% and 53.0% rates, respectively.

The group pointed out that New York has higher tobacco taxes than any other state at $4.35 per pack, while New York City adds a $1.50 tax per pack.

"Dramatic increases in state cigarette taxes have yielded additional revenue for priorities like public health, but have also fueled the rise of organized crime and law enforcement corruption," said Tax Foundation economist Scott Drenkard.

The foundation based its findings on data from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a Michigan think-tank.

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