Statement by New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani on City-Run Grocery Stores
Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, stated in an interview on November 4, 2025, on Hot 97, a local radio station, that the grocery stores he proposed to be run by the city would not sell cigarettes or lottery tickets. He did not mention alcohol sales during the interview.
Context of Alcohol and Other Sales in New York City Grocery Stores
New York City restricts grocery stores from selling alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content greater than 6%. Only specialized liquor stores are authorized to sell wine and stronger liquor. Many grocery stores in the city also do not sell cigarettes or lottery tickets, as these require special licenses.
Mamdani's Remarks on Competition with Small Convenience Stores
Mamdani highlighted that cigarettes and lottery tickets are the main revenue sources for small convenience stores known as bodegas in New York City. This suggests that his proposed city-run stores would avoid competing with these small businesses by not selling these items.
Rumor Regarding Mamdani’s Position on Alcohol, Cigarettes, and Lottery Tickets
In November 2025, a rumor spread claiming Mamdani said his proposed city-run grocery stores would not sell alcohol, cigarettes, or lottery tickets due to Islamic prohibitions on drinking, smoking, and gambling. This claim was circulated on social media, including an Instagram post that gained significant attention with 26,000 likes, using a photograph of Mamdani with the assertion.
"The city-run grocery stores he was proposing would not sell cigarettes or lottery tickets." — Zohran Mamdani, Hot 97 interview, Nov. 4, 2025
The rumor lacks direct confirmation from Mamdani specifically mentioning alcohol restrictions or religious reasons in his official statements.
Summary
Zohran Mamdani confirmed his proposed city-run stores will not sell cigarettes or lottery tickets but did not address alcohol sales, while rumors linking his proposal to religious reasons remain unverified.