A new report from the Mackinac Center (full 99 page report here) estimates the effect of cigarette taxes on smuggling of cigarettes (both "commercial" and "casual" - i.e. driving a few miles to buy cigarettes in a bordering state - types of smuggling) for all 50 states.
Pennsylvania ranks in the middle of the pack - with about 13% of cigarette sales having been smuggled in in 2006, on net. This ranks middle of the pack in the 50 state ranking, matching our middle of the road cigarette tax ($1.35/pack, the 18th highest rate in the country).
Interestingly, Pennsylvania has a net gain in casual smuggling, likely due to our borders with New York and New Jersey, which have among the highest cigarette taxes, and each losing over 40% of cigarette sales to smuggling.
DECEMBER 5, 2008 | by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Cigarette Taxes Encourage Smuggling

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