Tag Archives: Business

Tobacco is tobacco, right? Not so in New York and a few other states. When the tobacco taxes were increased, loose leaf tobacco missed the hike and is taxed at a mere $2.80 per pound versus $25 per pound for manufactured tobacco cigarettes. Some wise people banned together and created a business out of the variation in taxes. Those businesses are now feeling the heat from New York officials.

Island Smokes with two stores, one in Manhattan and another on Staten Island, offer customers the opportunity to purchase loose leaf tobacco and access to cigarette rolling machines to make their own cigarettes. Customers can spend approximately 45 minutes rolling cigarettes out of paper tubes and loose leaf tobacco and walk out of the store with a nominal $4 per pack expense versus paying a minimum of $13 per pack for commercial counterparts. In a lawsuit filed on November 14, 2011 by New York City's legal department claims Island Smokes is participating in "blatant tax evasion."

The shops included in the lawsuit do not pay into the cigarette manufacturer trust fund, nor do they have local tax stamps. In New York City, the local tax stamp includes a $1.40 city tax atop a $4.35 state tax. The complaint states, Continue Reading

Predominately found in the medical field, smoking is not allowed by employees. Doctor's offices and hospitals across the country are openly stating they will not hire anyone who smokes. It is easy to understand their stance on the subject given they work with thousands of people every day who have allergic reactions to cigarette smoke, weakened lungs, and a host of other sensitivities to the toxins and carcinogens found in cigarettes. Unfortunately, discrimination against smokers isn't limited to just the medical field.

People across all professions are facing increasing resistance to tobacco use. Heather S., a hiring manager for a national staffing agency stated, "We have clients across all sectors that specifically request that we hire non-smokers. It is not our policy to Continue Reading

Across the globe, people are coming out opposing complete bans indoors and out. In the UK, Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire is of many communities requesting officials to cease.

In the United States, most businesses rebound after a ban preventing smoking indoors is passed. The initial 6 months or so, restaurants and bars see a decrease in revenue sales. After that time, sales and profits rebound, nearing normal levels. In Stony Stratford, that hasn’t been the case.

Establishments carry signs of dates where doors will be closed, permanently. Recently, the community has come together, banding non-smokers and smokers alike for the sake of continued business. Stony Stratford Town Council is proposing a ban that will prevent smoking in all outdoor places, similar to New York’s recently passed ban. Continue Reading