Loosie

In the United States, a loosie (or loosey) is a single cigarette that is purchased or sold.

The transaction is illegal and commonly found in low-income areas.[1] The high cost of cigarettes due to increased taxation has been blamed for increased sales of loosies.[2][3]

In 2014, Eric Garner died when NYPD officers attempted to arrest him for allegedly selling loosies.[4]

References

  1. Christopher Mathias (April 6, 2011). "I Love 'Loosies': In Defense of Black Market Cigarettes". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  2. Goldstein, Joseph (April 4, 2011). "On Manhattan Streets, Loosie Men Sell Illegal Smokes". The New York Times. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  3. Kehrt, Sonner (October 19, 2016). "Proposed $2 cigarette tax sparks fear of sale of "loosies"". Oakland North. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  4. Solange Uwimana (October 23, 2014). "How Illegal Cigarettes Get Smuggled and Sold in New York City". Vice. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
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