Loosie

A single cigarette

In the United States, a loosie (or loosey) is a single cigarette that is purchased or sold.

In the United States, cigarettes are required to be sold in quantities of no less than 20. The FDA is concerned that loose cigarettes may be sold more often to children.^[1] Loosies are commonly found in low-income areas.^[2] The high cost of cigarettes due to increased taxation has been blamed for increased sales of loosies.^[3][4]

Loose cigarettes for sale in Mexico City

In 2014, Eric Garner was killed when NYPD officers attempted to arrest him for allegedly selling loosies.^[5]

See also

• Illicit cigarette trade – Trade in tobacco goods which fail to comply with legislation
• Reselling – Company or individual that buys goods or services for resalePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets

References

1. "PROTECT YOUR COMMUNITY—DON'T SELL LOOSIES". Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
2. Christopher Mathias (April 6, 2011). "I Love 'Loosies': In Defense of Black Market Cigarettes". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
3. Goldstein, Joseph (April 4, 2011). "On Manhattan Streets, Loosie Men Sell Illegal Smokes". The New York Times. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
4. Kehrt, Sonner (October 19, 2016). "Proposed $2 cigarette tax sparks fear of sale of "loosies"". Oakland North. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
5. Solange Uwimana (October 23, 2014). "How Illegal Cigarettes Get Smuggled and Sold in New York City". Vice. Retrieved November 16, 2015.