Representative Anthony Weiner says a new law on tobacco sales could be a boost to the city’s economy.

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act cracks down on tobacco smuggling and virtually bans sales of cigarettes on the Internet.

According to the State Department of Tax and Finance, the city loses up to $150 million from untaxed Internet sales. Weiner says that’s money that could now be on its way to the city.

“When the New York City Legislature and the New York State Legislature says this is the tax we’re going to levy for tobacco, they’re going to collect it,” Weiner said. “And that’s the way it should be. If you go to a neighborhood bodega, and they’re forced to collect taxes of more than $4 for each pack of cigarettes, and you find it on the Internet being sold without taxation, that’s bad for business, bad for the taxpayer, and ultimately it’s a flagrant violation of the law.”

Weiner says the new law will also help prevent underage kids from getting cigarettes.

(Source: NY1)