Campaign seeks 100,000 signatures to stop cigarette tax increase
Title
Campaign seeks 100,000 signatures to stop cigarette tax increase
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Vtmbh article article order
2
Vtmbh article author
Hyun Sang Lee
Vtmbh article blurb
In a local greengrocer or bodega, the sale of cigarettes can amount to as much as 20% of revenue. To counter the impact on the citys small stores, the Korean-American Small Business Service launched a petition drive to protest Mayor Bloombergs proposed cigarette tax increase.
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The Korean-American Small Business Service launched a petition drive to collect 100,000 signatures challenging Mayor Michael Bloombergs proposal to increase the cigarette tax increase.
Mr. Sung Soo Kim, director of the Service, proposed a media campaign to publicize the negative aspects of the cigarette tax increase. On May 8, the Korean American Small Business Service plans to lobby all 51 members of the City Council.
Starting on the 24, we began to send petition letters to cigarette stores, Mr. Kim said. He is confident about the campaign. In order to reach the goal, all we have to do is to get 250 signatures from 400 stores.
He expects the campaign will be well received by customers. Customers are angry about the proposed increase, too Mr. Kim added.
In an opinion piece submitted to the New York Daily News, Mr. Kim voiced a strong objection. In a local bodega or greengrocer, the sale of cigarettes can constitute as much as 20 percent of the gross receipts. Mr. Kim noted that a confiscatory rise in the city's cigarette taxan increase to a whopping $1.50 a pack from the current 8 cents will have adverse effect on small stores revenue.
Mayor Bloomberg has taken great pains to defend his proposal as not really a tax increase, but a public health measure. But Mr. Kim pointed out that the mayor took the $186 million the city received from the tobacco settlementmoney intended to fund smoking prevention programsand diverted the money while eliminating the programs. Mr. Kim also added that the tax increase will foster illegal cigarette trading.
Mr. Kim says he needs the support of at least 26 council members. So far, he has support from 13 of them.
Mr. Kim will meet Council members from theBronx shortly, and then will try to meet all of them on May 8.
Mr. Sung Soo Kim, director of the Service, proposed a media campaign to publicize the negative aspects of the cigarette tax increase. On May 8, the Korean American Small Business Service plans to lobby all 51 members of the City Council.
Starting on the 24, we began to send petition letters to cigarette stores, Mr. Kim said. He is confident about the campaign. In order to reach the goal, all we have to do is to get 250 signatures from 400 stores.
He expects the campaign will be well received by customers. Customers are angry about the proposed increase, too Mr. Kim added.
In an opinion piece submitted to the New York Daily News, Mr. Kim voiced a strong objection. In a local bodega or greengrocer, the sale of cigarettes can constitute as much as 20 percent of the gross receipts. Mr. Kim noted that a confiscatory rise in the city's cigarette taxan increase to a whopping $1.50 a pack from the current 8 cents will have adverse effect on small stores revenue.
Mayor Bloomberg has taken great pains to defend his proposal as not really a tax increase, but a public health measure. But Mr. Kim pointed out that the mayor took the $186 million the city received from the tobacco settlementmoney intended to fund smoking prevention programsand diverted the money while eliminating the programs. Mr. Kim also added that the tax increase will foster illegal cigarette trading.
Mr. Kim says he needs the support of at least 26 council members. So far, he has support from 13 of them.
Mr. Kim will meet Council members from theBronx shortly, and then will try to meet all of them on May 8.
Vtmbh article date
2002-04-25
Vtmbh article edition
17
Vtmbh article hit count
89
Vtmbh article keywords
Vtmbh article line breaks
1
Vtmbh article original language
Korean
Vtmbh article publication
Korea Daily News
Vtmbh article section
news
Vtmbh article thumb
Vtmbh article title
Campaign seeks 100,000 signatures to stop cigarette tax increase
Vtmbh article translator
Sungkyu Yun
Source
born-digital
Media Type
article
Original Name
In a local greengrocer or bodega, the sale of cigarettes can amount to as much as 20% of revenue. To
Created by Author
yes
Described by Author
no
Date Entered
2002-04-25
Collection
Citation
“Campaign seeks 100,000 signatures to stop cigarette tax increase,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 1, 2026, https://911.dev.chnm.gmu.edu/items/1718/.