NYC mayor looks to raise cigarette prices to $13 per pack

New York City's Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio backed five legislative proposals designed to reduce the number of smokers in the city by 160,000 over the next three years.

If passed, the bills would reduce the number of tobacco retailers citywide, cap the number of e-cigarette vendors, require all residential buildings to create and disclose smoking policies, ban the sale of tobacco products at pharmacies and raise the minimum prices on all tobacco products. The price increase would increase the minimum cost of cigarettes and little cigars from $10.50 to $13.

"When it comes to New Yorker's health, big tobacco is public enemy No. 1. These companies have used the same playbook for decades, and we can no longer sit by while the next generation becomes addicted," said Mayor Bill de Blasio during a Wednesday press conference. "Today, we are taking a stand against these companies to not only reduce smoking and tobacco usage in New York City, but also save lives."

The city's health committee will review the bills on April 27.

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