A single cigarette

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

Cigarettes are required be sold in quantities of no less than 20. The sale of loose cigarettes was outlawed because of Loosies' potential appeal to children.[1] Loosies are commonly found in low-income areas.[2] The high cost of cigarettes due to increased taxation has been blamed for increased sales of loosies.[3][4]

In 2014, Eric Garner was killed when NYPD officers attempted to arrest him for allegedly selling loosies.[5]

References

  1. ^ "PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY—DON'T SELL LOOSIES". Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  2. ^ Christopher Mathias (April 6, 2011). "I Love 'Loosies': In Defense of Black Market Cigarettes". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  3. ^ Goldstein, Joseph (April 4, 2011). "On Manhattan Streets, Loosie Men Sell Illegal Smokes". The New York Times. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  4. ^ Kehrt, Sonner (October 19, 2016). "Proposed $2 cigarette tax sparks fear of sale of "loosies"". Oakland North. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  5. ^ 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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