I hope New York City smokers find ways to avoid the predatory taxes imposed on them by the city and state governments (“Smokers Huff & Puff Over New Cigarette Tax,” July 3).

The crime of buying or selling contraband cigarettes does not compare to that of gouging a stigmatized minority just because it’s politically expedient.

Stephen Helfer

Cambridge, Mass.

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The consequences of New York’s high cigarette tax will be that tribal reservations will benefit immensely from non-Indian customers, and black-market entrepreneurs will drive U-hauls to the South to buy boatloads of cartons to sell at a nice profit in New York City.

L. Nieves

Charlotte, NC

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There seems to be competition between Albany and Trenton to see which can come up with the most idiotic legislation.

With this latest tobacco tax, New York has a slight lead right now.

But we in New Jersey won’t despair. I’m sure our representatives in Trenton are thinking up new legislation right now.

Tom Dilberger

Belmar, NJ