At the request of Mayor Bloomberg, Manhattan Council Member and Chair of the Health Committee Maria del Carmen Arroyo introduced legislation known as “Sensible Tobacco Enforcement Policies” (STEP) that will combat illegal cigarette smuggling. The bill increases penalties for retailers who evade tobacco taxes or sell tobacco without a license; prohibits retailers from redeeming coupons or honoring other price discounts for tobacco products; creates a minimum price for cigarettes and little cigars, which are virtually identical, at $10.50 per pack; requires that cheap cigars and cigarillos be sold in packages of at least four, and little cigars be sold in packages of at least 20. Cigars that cost more than $3 each are exempt from the packaging rule.