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• MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST CIGARETTE TAX EVASION GETS MAJOR BOOST 

In the latest development in Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's campaign against cigarette tax evasion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has reversed several March 2006 lower court orders and reinstated the City's lawsuits against numerous corporations and individuals who own or operate Internet websites selling cigarettes. The decision is the latest step forward in Mayor Bloomberg's efforts to reduce smoking in New York City, which have led to a 21 percent drop in adult smoking and a 52 percent drop in smoking among public high school students in the last five years.

"We will continue moving forward vigorously against those who break the law and deprive the City of vitally needed tax dollars - especially when such lawbreakers also undercut public health," said Mayor Bloomberg. "I once again urge Albany to take decisive action to crack down on cigarette bootlegging, beginning with collecting the state sales tax on cigarettes sold on Indian reservations."

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