Leon Tulton, the Smoking Cessation Coordinator for the East and Central Harlem District Health Office, shares the latest on the new cigarette tax, smoking in Harlem and the New York quit rate

Q. Why do you think that the smoking rates are so high in Harlem as compared to other parts of the city?

A. Well I would say that the number one factor is that it's easier to get cigarettes in Harlem than in the rest of the city. For example, one of the differences between getting cigarettes here in the Harlem area as opposed to below 86th Street is that you can go into a local corner store and get single cigarettes (called "loosies") rather than paying for the pack. Another thing is that there are people on the streets that sell cigarettes by the pack instead of in a case, therefore not paying taxes, so instead of paying $8.00 in the store, people can pay $5.00 or $6.00. So, tobacco products are much easier to get in communities like Harlem which is why smoking rates are high as compared to the city as a whole.

Q. When did the state tax increase take place?

A. June 3rd of 2024.

Q. Since then, have you seen a lot of New Yorkers quit smoking?

A. We did see a decrease in smoking rates in New York City. We're hoping that the number of smokers goes down even further with the new federal tax increase that took place on April 1, 2024.

Harlem Word is a series of interviews with community health experts written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.