Question:
ALBANY - The state is warning there could be a "period of time" next year when no cigarettes are available for sale in New York, The Post has learned. The state Office of Fire Prevention and Control is expected to release regulations soon that will require that by next July, only self-extinguishing cigarettes can be sold in New York.

Answer: -I have no special knowledge about this proposal. Yet, I wonder if the lobbying group hoping to push it through is not representing the interests of cig smugglers.

-Yeah, that should really help New York quite a bit, or at least help out cigarette sellers in neighboring states and smugglers as Jack points out.

This really appears to be a FUBAR type of a situation.