contraband. “loosies”, or untaxed cigarettes

Last summer Eric Garner died after a New York cop put him in a chokehold. His crime was selling “loosies”, or untaxed cigarettes. Smuggling is common in New York: 58% of cigarettes smoked in the state are contraband. The reason is that tobacco taxes are high: a pack of 20 costs $13 in New York, compared with $5 in Missourihttp://econ.st/1B3ayDf

Urban Dictionary: loosie

www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=loosie

A loose cigarette or "loosie" is a single cigarette purchased at the store for usually between 10 cents to a quarter.

contrabandLine breaks: contra|band

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒntrəband 

  

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Definition of contraband in English:

NOUN

[MASS NOUN]

1Goods that have been imported or exported illegally:customs men had searched the carriages for contraband

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1.1Trade in smuggled goods:the salt trade (and contraband in it) were veryactive in the town

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1.2(also contraband of war) Goods forbidden to be supplied by neutrals to those engaged in war.

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ADJECTIVE

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1Imported or exported illegally, either in defiance of atotal ban or without payment of duty:contraband brandy

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1.1Relating to traffic in illegal goods:the contraband market

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Origin

late 16th century: from Spanish contrabanda, fromItalian contrabando, from contra- 'against' + bando'proclamation, ban'.