Cigarette Vending Machines, Nearly Extinct, Set to Evolve

Old-school cigarette vending machines have nearly disappeared from New York City bars, but a new generation of modern machines may soon take their place, the New York Times reported July 12.

A reporter could only find three of the once-familiar rod-operated cigarette machines in the city, which have been disappearing during the seven years since a ban on indoor smoking took effect. Taxes have driven prices up to $11 per pack, so the surviving machines must take paper money, not just quarters as in the old days.

However, some bars are installing modern, electronic cigarette vending machines. Statewide, 1,238 licensing stickers for cigarette vending machines were issued in 2008, New York officials said.