In a country dominated by lobbies, New York does not hesitate to confront the powers of money. Especially when it comes to the health of its inhabitants. And in this battle, conservatives and democrats are making common cause.
Former city mayor Michael Bloomberg led the way by limiting the sale of large soda bottles and enacting several public health measures. His successor, Bill de Blasio, announced on Monday a series of seven measures intended to bring down the number of smokers, reports an AFP dispatch.
The reduction in the number of points of sale and the increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes are the most emblematic. The latter should go to 13 dollars (11 euros) against 10.5 (9 euros), on average today. According to US media, Big Apple will then display the highest price in the country.
“Even though tobacco is one of the leading causes of premature death in the country, the tobacco giants will stop at nothing to get people addicted to these deadly products,” said the Democratic mayor. We are sending a very clear message that we will no longer let their greed kill New Yorkers (…). These new measures will not only help reduce the number of smokers in our city, but also save lives,” he continued.
Nearly one in ten New Yorkers smokes and 12,000 die from it every year. The objective is to accelerate the decline observed since 2002 by reducing the number of consumers by 160,000 within three years.
By adding a new 10% tax on other tobacco products, Bill de Blasio plans to raise $1 million which will be used to supply the coffers of housing assistance organizations.
The electronic cigarette, too, will be subject to restrictive measures: the number of points of sale will be halved and the cost of renewing the license will be increased significantly.
And too bad if these measures trigger the anger of the city’s 900,000 smokers. The mayor assumes even though he is seeking a new mandate next November.
