Step 1: Stimulate offense against a consumer product that is not inherently harmful to anyone but its user.
The tobacco industry is once again using the techniques of decades ago to hook people on a product. https://t.co/Iv7frRtTKk
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 19, 2017
Step 2: Propose a price floor or tax to reduce the number of consumers who buy the product.
We’re going to raise the floor on the cost of a pack of cigarettes from $10.50 to $13 — the highest price in the country.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 19, 2017
Step 3: Require licensing to sell the product at the higher rate.
The e-cigarette industry is becoming the tobacco industry. That’s why we’ll have them licensed the same way as cigarette retailers.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 19, 2017
Step 4: Kill anyone who violates your system.
There are 29 times more tobacco sellers than Starbucks in New York City. We’re going to be going after licensing and capping that.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) April 19, 2017