New-York: vaping taxes to exceed 20% by the end of 2019
Vaping in New York State will cost 20% more by December 1, 2019. The tax increase is related to the implementation of a new vaping tax, as additional taxes were accepted as part of a new state budget for 2019-2029. The tax will be applied to all vaping devices as well as to refill cartridges, whether or not they contain nicotine.
By March 31, 2020, this new tax will have generated an extra $2 million in the state’s revenue. For the 2021 projection, the numbers jump to an estimated $19 million. This number takes into account new legislation that has reduced the legal vaping age from 21 to 18 years old. Legislators have decided to apply these measures to reduce the rate of smoking amongst young people.
A controversial tax
Those in favor of vaping as well as e-cigarette manufacturers are not happy about this new tax. According to them, this price increase will incite people to turn away from vaping in favor of traditional cigarettes.
On April 2, Alex Clark made his position known on just how problematic this new legislation really is. According to the CEO of the Consumer Advocates Association for Smoke Free Alternatives, it is unfair to financially punish people who have decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle, thanks in part to vaping instead of smoking. Assembly member Richard Gottfried’s does not believe there is any reason to tax tobacco less than vaping devices, especially since both products contain nicotine.
Andrew Cuomo was hoping that the new law would be even stricter in banning the sales of tasty vaping flavors. According to the governor of New York, this would help prevent more young people from vaping. For the time being, however, this idea has been rejected, but it may be revisited at a later date.
