Cigarette Cost?

[nstem]

Trying to help a friend get their budget together and pay off some things. I know and they know, that quiting would be best for soooooo many reasons but at the moment that isn't going to happen.

Wondering if anyone has ever ordered from an online place? I found several places including this one https://www.cheap-24h.com which would ultimately save them about 70% but not sure if it is as simple as online shopping or if there is anything to know.

TIA

 

[SandrA9810]

buying on indian reservations is usually cheaper, and no sales tax.

but don't know anything about on the internet.

 

[hambirg]

I would be very careful about buying cigarettes online. No, I take that back. . .I wouldn't do it. They are considered contraband if bought out of state.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003574768_tobaccotax16m.html

So, depending on the state, they can and will come after you.

I smoke and I get them from Indian smoke shops when I can. If that's a possibility for your friend, that's the best deal.

ETA-I forgot that several people I work with roll their own. It's much cheaper. One guy has a little machine thing and buys the papers with the filters. . .he's really good. . .they look just like the ones you buy. HTH

 

[TheRatPack]

And be careful ordering them from any Indian reservation....there was a thread on here or another board I frequent and they were getting letters from the IRS for taxes due!!! They may be tax free when you buy them but the government can still trace it back to you by shipping address/payment method...and come after you for taxes! Maybe take a few years but they do it.

 

[budbeerlady]

Be VERY careful! Many in our state were hit with big tax bills from the state for buying them out of state and online. My sister-in-law included but her bill was small, around $300 vs some of what I have heard. That is a budget buster!

 

[Gigi22]

Interesting thread! There was a big court case in Canada a while back that concluded that the large tobacco companies were in fact colluding with certain factions of some of the Indian bands to smuggle cigarettes into Canada and undercutting the price of legal cigarettes by avoiding taxes. There is also a thriving business in selling contraband cigarettes off reservation.

Now PSA time here--the taxes on cigarettes are meant as a deterrent to smoking. So you see where this gets you if you buy illegal cigarettes--helping big tobacco to poison more people and at the same time ensure that the tax base is weakened so that treatment for those sick with, oh, hey--cancer is less available.

I am not sure if this is true in the US as well--so yes, you can dodge taxes on cigarettes , but you wind up consorting with criminals and in bed with big tobacco concerns. Hardly a family-friendly activity, or one the Dis should promote!

 

[SandrA9810]

I just remember from years ago, like late 90's, there were people that'd drive to the Seminole reservation to get them. Didn't know it would get back to people who were not actual Indians.

 

[dispor]

Friends don't help friends kill themselves.

Seriously. Why on earth would you want to get involved in this? How would you feel if your friend got lung cancer? I know if it was me, I would feel like I contributed to it.

What if they start smoking 2 or 3 times as much because you found them such a good deal?

Believe me, I have my own vices - everyone does to some extent. But I wouldn't find junk food deals for an obese friend, cheap cigarettes for a friend who smokes, or discounted booze for a friend that's an alcoholic.

 

[nstem]

thanks everyone. I guess the old, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is!

Moving on

 

[windycitymom]

As a non-smoker, I don't even know what a pack of cigarettes sells for today. But I remember when I was in high school, I had friends say, "When cigarettes get to be $1.00 a pack, I'm quitting." Some never did quit. One friend quit several years ago and saved the money each week. Within a year, he bought himself a used Mustang with the money he previously would have spent on cigs.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I don't smoke, but my DH & DS do.. cig's here in SW Fl are between $4-6 per pack.. depending on the brand and the "promo offer" going on... I would not order from online.. that is illegal if you were to get caught.. My DH's friend lives in NY and wanted him to mail him up some since they are cheaper here than there, and we will not do it.

Personally, if you think you need to shop around for the best price, it is time to quit.. . My mom died of lung cancer, I hate the fact that my DH &DS smoke.. will I go to the store and pick them up a pack of cigs.. no freaking way.. they want to kill themselves.. they are doing it without my help....

 

[Tweevil]

Unfortunately stating the solution is easier said than done and I believe the OP is trying to be realistic and helpful with planning a budget that includes this item. It not condoning or promoting their use, it is simply being prudent in adding a realistic expenditure.

I smoke and where I live they cost $8.00 give or take a pack. When I travel to states with lower sales tax I purchase there. While driving to FL I stop in SC and purchase them at half the cost as I only buy a certain brand and the lower priced ones are not it.

I would avoid purchasing online as I have had friends who also were sent a sales tax bill for their purchases online.

Good luck to your friend and to you in figuring out a realistic budget.

 

[JB2K]

Friends don't help friends kill themselves.

Seriously. Why on earth would you want to get involved in this? How would you feel if your friend got lung cancer? I know if it was me, I would feel like I contributed to it.

What if they start smoking 2 or 3 times as much because you found them such a good deal?

And, something we ALL should remember...

...Walt Disney, himself was a big-time smoker -- and he also died from lung cancer in 1966...

 

[here757]

i found the ups and the post office will not accept them for shipment...
unless certain regulations are met..
oddly enough doenst apply to cigars lol

http://www.usps.com/pactact/welcome.htm

 

[kaytieeldr]

Friends don't help friends kill themselves.

Anybody know the number one cause of death in the United States?































Life





The OP is aware the friend shouldn't smoke. I'm sure the friend knows the friend shouldn't smoke as well. The OP didn't ask for advice on getting the friend to quit, budget or no budget. They asked for help finding cigarettes cheap. They did get advice on why it's a bad idea from a tax - the costly portion - standpoint. Maybe that'll be enough impetus for the friend to quit.

 

[nstem]

thanks to those that shared their advise and those who understood this is a budget position. Yes, I certainly think they would be healthier not smoking and I explained if they quit how quickly they could get back on track, but not to make a joke of it but I also understand I could die from my chocolate addiction as a solution to my problems (as the extra weight causes others issues)...doesn't mean I am stopping tomorrow either.

One problem at a time and I know when finances are tight, I go for my vices as an escape theirs just happens to be cigarettes.

Thanks again

 

[kaytieeldr]

You know, in all honesty I don't think the issue is buying cigarettes online; I think it's genuinely the taxes. You, as an anonymous friend/consumer/person, could check with your state's tax or revenue department. It MAY still be cheaper for your friend to purchase cigarettes online and report the purchase to the tax department and pay the taxes, than to buy them locally... unless you live in Massachusetts where apparently it's 100% illegal to - I don't know if it's purchase cigarettes online or out-of-state, or to have them shipped here, but whichever, it's absolutely IMpossible and against the law, not just a tax violation, for us to buy cigarettes or alcohol online. Or at least to have it sent here :