Gov. Kathy Hochul promised no new taxes when she unveiled her budget proposal last week. But apparently there is at least one exception. Zach Fink reports for New York State of Politics that Hochul wants to raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by a dollar, to $5.35. Hochul also wants a ban on flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes. Trevor Summerfield of the American Lung Association, said he was ecstatic at the news, saying, “There is evidence out there that shows when you increased the tax on tobacco products by a minimum of a dollar, or 10 percent of the product price, you are going to see people quitting smoking, but also not picking up the habit in the first place.” Capitalists, such as Kent Sopris of the New York Association of Convenience Stores, are unhappy with Hochul's new cigarette policies, saying, “The proposed flat out ban of flavored and menthol tobacco will harm convenience stores and other tobacco retailers across the state. Hands down." Sopris did point out one inconsistency in Hochul's policies. “It is bizarre and unfair that the state on one hand would promote smoking marijuana and cannabis, and then say that menthol cigarettes and menthol tobacco are no good," Sopris said. Read more about this story at New York State of Politics.