West Virginia Cheapest State To Score Cigarettes

Esse Smokers everywhere complain about taxes tacked on to cigarettes, but those in some states have far more reason to complain than others. An unscientific but seemingly thorough spot check found that New Yorkers have to fork over $11.90 for a pack of Marlboro Reds, while West Virginians need only part with $4.74.

The Awl called up gas stations in the most populated cities in all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and confirmed the cost of the product at one station in each state. While sales or special deals could have clouded the results, the research comes close to proving one thing about New York: If you can afford cigarettes there, you can afford them anywhere.

No-Smoking Drive Needs Political Will

An official from the Region 7 office of the Department of Health (DoH) believes the strong political will of local leaders is the key to achieving 100 percent enforcement of the government’s campaign against smoking.

Dr. Juditha Tawatao, DoH7 program coordinator for the Stop Smoking Program, said a number of local government units (LGU) in the region already have ordinances banning smoking, but only a handful are fully implemented.

Smoking Ban to be Resuscitated

She plans to file a bill during the Texas Legislature’s current special session after the ban was stripped from House Bill 1811 — a fiscal matters bill — last week in the final days of the regular session.

“As fate would have it, we have this special session, and it gives me an excellent opportunity to get it done,” Crownover, R-Denton, said.

She said several legislators have told her that they see why she is working on the ban and many have said they would now support the initiative if given another opportunity.