NJ Gov proposes 30 cent increase in cigarette tax.

[bimshire]

I think it is great. Of course I don't smoke. Just today I noticed a 20 something girl finishing her smoke outside the grocery store. It really bothered me. I understand people who are older and started smoking years ago before we knew how bad it really was, but there is really no excuse anymore. I know it is not very PC or polite to say it, but I really think people who choose to smoke in this day and age are just plain stupid.

Couldn't agree more. Look what a cigarette did to the Star Princess ship last night. One hundred and fifty cabins burned.

 

[lsyorke]

He's picking on people who have emotional problems along with being addicted to a deadly substance. It's terrible...it not like they can stop smokeing he knows they will pay whatever they cost. Dh & I figured it out years ago. When packs were only $5.00. 1 pack a day was close to a week in a value resort. I quit on the spot!

Nah, they'll just all drive to Delaware and get them there!! it's an easy tax to get through. Now what happens when that doesn't provide enough money... alcohol, gas, clothes?????

 

[NJBlackBerry]

He didn't go far enough. The only difference between a democrat governor and a republican governor is the democrat TELLS YOU he is going to raise taxes, and does it. The republican says he won't, but does it anyway...

Notice no layoffs. He can't touch the unions because he is beholden to them. I had hoped, since he doesn't really need the job or the money (he is worth hundreds of millions) that he would try to fix government, like Bloomberg in NY. But no - he is just trying to patch things up by raising taxes.

I do not and have never smoked. Let him raise the tax $5 per pack.

And the previous poster is right - people will simply by their smokes elsewhere.

 

[Aidensmom]

I don't see a problem with taxing unneccesary items, which I would consider cigarettes to be, but I don't think it is wise to tax them so much that people would rather quit than pay the taxes.

Seriously, every state gets a lot of revenue from this. Smoking is something each individual has the right to choose to do or not do. I don't believe in "punitive" taxes. That acts both to inhibit the freedom of the individual, and to possibly (and not wisely ) create less revenue for the states. I see nothing wrong with charging a few extra cents tax, because people are going to pay it without a problem, but $2.70 a pack is a bit much.

 

[lsyorke]

And trimming the state work force by 1000 jobs.

Cutting jobs too! But they'll only be low level jobs(the people that actually do the work).. the high paid political hacks will still be there.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

- And cutting school funding which will increase property taxes
- Adding the 1% sales tax increase
- Taxing labor, which is completely new - so when you take your car to the shop it will be 1% more on parts and 7% on your labor

Cigarette taxes are just a drop in the bucket. I live with a smoker (yes only in designated spots in WDW ) and it will not be pretty. As for those that say to go out of state.....ummmm...I live closer to NYC than Delaware. Delaware would be a day trip complete with a tank of gas. Internet shopping, I think not. Last I heard, NY or NYC was trying to get the list of individuals that purchased over the internet and hit them retroactively with sales tax.

And yes, we do speak our mind in NJ and darn proud of it. And for the person that brought up Jim Florio, he taxed our toilet paper!! What kind of person taxes t.p.??

 

[C.Ann]

My guess is that if the increase in taxes on cigarettes doesn't bring in the revenue that they so desperately need/want, the next thing they'll hike taxes on will be gasoline and alcohol.. They have to make up that money somewhere - which is why I don't believe they actually want people to quit smoking, they just want the money from them.. Gasoline would be a great place to start because most everyone needs it..

 

[Lizzydoll73]

Now what happens when that doesn't provide enough money... alcohol, gas, clothes?????

Well, I believe CorSlime wants to increase and add taxes on all those things also. Oh, and don't forget he wants to raise tax on WATER. EVERYTHING in the great state of NJ will be going up.