Bill > A05284

This bill modifies the definition of a "distributor" for the purpose of taxing tobacco products, specifically excluding individuals who import or bring premium cigars into the state for sale to consumers, unless their gross sales receipts of premium cigars exceed $100,000 in the previous or current calendar year, or they sold premium cigars to consumers in 200 or more separate transactions during those periods. The bill also defines a "premium cigar" as a cigar that is wrapped in whole leaf tobacco, has a 100% leaf tobacco binder, is manually assembled, has no filter or tip and is hand-capped, and weighs more than six pounds per thousand units. Furthermore, it establishes a new tax rate for premium cigars, which will be 75% of the wholesale price or 50 cents, whichever is less, and clarifies that this tax is intended to be applied only once upon the sale of any premium cigar, while the tax on other tobacco products remains at 75% of the wholesale price.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5284