The New York City Council has passed legislation that further restricts access to tobacco products throughout the city.
Introduced by Mayor Bill de Blasio in April, the legislation will raise the minimum price for a pack of cigarettes from US$10.50 to US$13, set minimum prices and minimum pack sizes for other tobacco products, and set a 10% tax on tobacco products other than cigarettes. The sale of all tobacco products in pharmacies will also be prohibited.
The legislation will also cap the number of tobacco retailers in the city and cut that number in half through attrition. Retailers will be required to have a retail license to sell e-cigarettes, yet the bill will cap e-cigarette licenses in a similar way to other tobacco licenses. There will also be an increase in the fee for tobacco retail licenses. Residential buildings will be required to establish smoking policies and disclose them to both current and prospective residents.
Nine council members voted against the bill to boost the cost of cigarettes, citing concerns it would disproportionately burden low-income New Yorkers.