Can I have a diet coke with that, please? Thanks!

[telemann.livejournal.com]

malasadas had a great post recently about making good food choices, especially when consumers have informed choices. In the spirit of that post, I was amused when I saw this today (via the "The Consumerist") KFC's "Double Down": it's bacon and cheese sandwiched between two pieces of fried chicken. The "Original Recipe" sandwich will set you back about 540 calories, 32g of fat and 1380mg of sodium. The not-as-bad-for-you Grilled Double Down totals 460 calories, 23g of fat and 1430mg of sodium. This doesn't even look appealing to me. Luckily here in New York City, restaurants are required to post nutritional information like this to give us some informed choices. But what if consumers insist on making the wrong choice even with all the information? New York City is considering a "bad food tax," and when you see fare like this, you have to wonder if heavy taxation would have an impact. Such taxation reduced cigarette consumption (a carton of cigarettes by law can not be lower than 72.00 here in New York). True, the case can be made taxation like this is rather ineffective because people order cigarettes online, or just buy them in other states, but with a lot of hungry tourists and citizens, it's unlikely everyone is just going to leave, and eat in New Jersey.

Comments

[eracerhead.livejournal.com]

The cigarette tax has caused smokers to purchase cigarettes out of town, out of state or on the black market. The reduction in sales is a phantom.

As far as the double-down. MMM BACON!

[telemann.livejournal.com]

The cigarette tax has caused smokers to purchase cigarettes out of town, out of state or on the black market. The reduction in sales is a phantom.

If they bought those ciggies online, they have been sent bills for the taxes they owe. And while ciggies are cheaper in New Jersey or Connecticut they aren't exactly North Carolina cheap. Last time I looked, a carton was about $27.00 in Raleigh at Christmas. At a local bodega here in Brooklyn, I've seen them sell indidivual cigarettes to buyers, that was a first in my life ;)

[hey-its-michael.livejournal.com]

At a local bodega here in Brooklyn, I've seen them sell indidivual cigarettes to buyers, that was a first in my life ;)

They are called "loosies". Get the terminology right! ;o)

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Stores make a nice bit of change on them, at a dollar each ;)

[dzlk.livejournal.com]

at a dollar each

Holy frijoles. I admit it's been awhile since I've paid attention but I don't recall ever them going for more than about 25 cents each...

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Buck or buck 25 here.

[dzlk.livejournal.com]

Just goes to show that exchange value really is subjective. I suppose if you only need one but need it now then a buck isn't quite as much as it might otherwise seem.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

NYC was the first place I've seen stores sell chilled pop at a higher price than stuff that sits on a shelf too ;)

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

That happens everywhere.

[eracerhead.livejournal.com]

[At a local bodega here in Brooklyn, I've seen them sell indidivual cigarettes to buyers, that was a first in my life ;)]

BTW individual cigarettes are called 'loosies.'
Here in Southern MD most smokers travel down to Dahlgren or Fredericksburg.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when I was growing up in southern Virginia, my father would constantly tell me about state troopers doing busts on truckers on I-95 taking untaxed cigarettes up to New York City.