"Ten years ago I said I would never pay $5 for a pack of cigarettes, but if it's something that you want to do, you'll find a way to do it," Rochelle Frederick, 43, said as she lit up a Merit. The pack cost her $7.50.
It costs so much because New York City has bumped its per-pack tax from 8 cents to $1.50. It was a nasty blow to smokers, who were just getting used to a state tax increase of $1.50 per pack that took effect in May.
New Yorkers now pay double the national average for cigarettes.
"I might have to actually start investigating other avenues to get my fix," said Tony McHugh, 34, as he puffed a Camel and sipped coffee with a pack of smokers during a morning break. "It's going to hurt a lot but it won't cause me to quit."
McHugh, who smokes a pack a day, shook his head when asked how much he spent on cigarettes before the tax hike. With the increase, he will burn more than $2,500 a year on cigarettes.
"Ay caramba . I told you not to tell me that," McHugh said when he heard the figure.