Tobacco Retailing - Tax Evasion - Motor Fuels - Beverage Retailing - Store Operations - Positions

NYACS POSITIONS ON 2011 TOBACCO RETAILING ISSUES

Let the FDA do its job regulating tobacco.
   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is implementing new nationwide restrictions on tobacco marketing. While NYACS disagrees with many of them, these regulations are being applied in a uniform and systematic manner. Yet New York State and certain localities seem determined to leap-frog the FDA by enacting duplicative or conflicting restrictions, needlessly burdening retail stores.
   •  As parents, citizens, and responsible retailers, we share the community’s commitment to preventing youth access to tobacco. But in New York, state and local tobacco restrictions often fail because they are so easy for consumers to circumvent via border states, Indian reservations, or the black market. The product continues to be consumed, but licensed, regulated, tax-collecting New York retailers get hurt.
   •  In view of this reality, we oppose further State or local restrictions on tobacco retailing  – such as changing the purchase age, outlawing flavored tobacco or cigar wraps, restricting product placement or signage, or limiting the number or type of licensed outlets – because such actions would only place us at a further disadvantage in the marketplace.

That’s it.  No more tax or fee hikes impacting C-stores and their customers.
   Our members are still reeling from billions of dollars in tax and fee hikes inflicted by the last two state budgets that drained our resources and cost our customers more money in the midst of the worst economic downturn in decades. Enough.
   •  New York taxes on core convenience-store products (motor fuel, tobacco, beer) are already among the highest in the nation.
   •  These exorbitant taxes make New York retailers uncompetitive with those in neighboring states and on Indian reservations, driving away customers, jobs and tax revenue.
   •  License fees should reflect the state’s administrative costs, not prop up the General Fund.

NYS Tobacco Dealer Registration Fee Issue
Update on NYACS Litigation Surrounding Tobacco Registration Fee
2011 NYACS Memorandum in Support of Tobacco Registration Fee Rollback
August 2009 NYACS Letter to Tax Department

Other New York State Tobacco Issues
NYACS Memorandum in Support of 2009 Minimum Markup Bill
NYACS Memorandum in Support for Underage Possession Law
NYACS Press Release Proposing Cigarette Butt Recycling Deposit
NYACS Memorandum in Opposition to NYS Flavored Cigarette Ban
NYACS: 'Mock Convenience Store' a Smear Job

New York City Tobacco Issues
Memorandum in Opposition to NYC Flavored Tobacco Ban
Letter to City Council Opposing NYC Flavored Tobacco Ban
Comments on Proposed NYC Tobacco Warning Sign Requirement

City of Buffalo Tobacco Issues
NYACS Press Conference on Buffalo Tobacco Ordinance 12-20-10

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