Smokers everywhere complain about taxes tacked on to cigarettes, but those in some states have far more reason to complain than others. An unscientific but seemingly thorough spot check found that New Yorkers have to fork over $11.90 for a pack of Marlboro Reds, while West Virginians need only part with $4.74.

The Awl called up gas stations in the most populated cities in all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and confirmed the cost of the product at one station in each state. While sales or special deals could have clouded the results, the research comes close to proving one thing about New York: If you can afford cigarettes there, you can afford them anywhere.

What A Pack Of Cigarettes Costs, State By State [The Awl]

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