New York smokers started paying the highest cigarette taxes in the U.S. today after an increase of 58 percent pushed some prices to almost $11 a pack.
The average price in New York City, the largest in the U.S. by population, rose to $10.80, according to Erik Kriss, a spokesman for the state Division of Budget. Outside of the city, which imposes its own tax, the state average price is $8.92.
