Raising taxes on smokes....

[Lachesis00]

Whats your thoughts. I think name brand smokes are over $6 a pack. I don't smoke so it doesn't affect me... but my sister does.

So a pack must be $4.something-$5-something and then $1 tax and they want to raise it to $2 tax.

(Juneau-AP) -- The state Senate approved a dollar per pack increase in the state's tobacco tax yesterday (Wednesday).
However, the bill may have trouble making it through the House.
Seven Republicans joined seven Democrats in supporting the tobacco tax increase in the Senate.
But in the House, Speaker Pete Kott declined to send the bill to a committee for hearings during an afternoon floor session.
Supporters of the tobacco tax say they suspect Kott may be trying to kill it, which he effectively did during the regular session by delaying a vote until the midnight adjournment deadline.
The bill would double the tax on cigarettes to 2 dollars a pack and boost the tax on other tobacco products from 75 percent to 100 percent of the wholesale cost.
Supporters say it would reduce smoking and raise about 35 (m) million dollars for the state

 

[Dan Murphy]

The higher the tax the fewer people can afford, so I say make them 20 bucks a pack.

 

[workinggal]

I say if you're going to tax something, tax something that doesnt apply to just one particular group of people.

 

[shelbyjosh]

As a parent of an asthmatic...let them raise the price!! I think it is great! Maybe people will quit...or maybe some will go bankrupt paying for their luxury!!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

So then, we shouldn't have property taxes because that targets only property owners?

Tax cigarettes until no one can afford to smoke. Put some of the tax dollars into research for viable, effective ways to quit smoking, and some tax dollars into caring for those who have smoking related illnesses.

Like any other additction, the one to nicotine is no less worthy of our care and compassion. That doesn't mean that every effort shouldn't be made to make cigarettes less desireable. Make them unaffordable for as many people as possible. Might keep kids from starting too.

 

[aprilgail2]

I could not even imagine paying 6.00 a pack for something that is going to eventually kill me! If you smoke one pack a day thats 180.00 a month!! No way!! I could think of millions of other things to do with that money than have it go up in smoke!

 

[Beauty]

Just had a client from my farm loan days pass away this week from SMOKING, he was 45 years old!

I say make them so expensive that no one can afford them. If people don't want to take responsibility for their own lifes then maybe the govt. should. Smoking is like suicide and its an addiction.

 

[workinggal]

Isn't obesity becoming the leading cause of death?

If that's the case, then I think a Big Mack and Fries needs to cost $50.

Screw the cigarette tax. Tax fat!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Beauty
Just had a client from my farm loan days pass away this week from SMOKING, he was 45 years old!....

The father of Natalie's ex-BF is in his death throes now, lung and throat cancer, smoker all his life. A couple years younger than me. Sad.

 

[AirForceRocks]

So then, we shouldn't have property taxes because that targets only property owners?

Property taxes don't target only property owners - renters pay property taxes too...unless you're assuming that property owners don't include that when determining rent. I know I do.

 

[HollyJoy]

I totally am for raising the tax on cigarettes. They are nasty little things! Maybe if they are more expensive, more people will quit.

 

[Beauty]

Isn't obesity becoming the leading cause of death?

I agree with you but being overweight (although not as much as I used to be thank goodness) isn't all about Big Macs and Fries. I hardly ever eat fast food, I just don't like it. My addiction and the cause of my being overweight was simple things like bread. I'm not a dessert person but I love bread.

I don't think taxing fat is as simple as smoking. Different people have far different things that cause obesity. If fast food was the ONLY culprit then I agree tax it a zillion dollars but sadly thats not the answer. The only way to control 100% obesity is to cut out any food except food that is 100% healthy for everyone (which would be fine with me now since thats all I eat). However, it would be unfair to people without a weight problem.

Smoking is bad PERIOD, there are no levels of it. One ciggie is awful for you just as 12 packs a day. Its been proven to cause death and we've seen it a million times. Heck if they were to tax my Diet Cokes I could drink all the water I need to drink daily so that would be okay too!!!


Dan its so sad! This man left behind a son the same age as J.C. I just can't imagine

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Here in Richmond the World HQ of Phillip Morris, a pack of premium cigarettes is around $3 and generic brands can be found for $1.25-2.00.

 

[workinggal]

Hey joe, if i send you money, want to send me a carton? lol

 

[HollyJoy]

Originally posted by Beauty
Just had a client from my farm loan days pass away this week from SMOKING, he was 45 years old!

My Grandfather died from lung cancer when he was in his 60's. I never knew him. I hate smoking!

 

[AirForceRocks]

One ciggie is awful for you just as 12 packs a day.

You don't think this might be just a bit of an exaggeration?

 

[Crankyshank]

people are still going to smoke, regardless of how much they raise the tax. It's an addiction.

Sure more people might travel further to Indian Reservations to buy them, but they're still going to smoke. It's an addiction. The monetary and legal deterrents don't stop people from buying drugs they're hooked on, does it?

And I'm an asthmatic that has never smoke a cig in my life and hates the smell of smoke.

 

[Jennyfyar]

The higher the better! My MIL died in January of emphysema, she smoked for 50 years.

 

[Beauty]

You don't think this might be just a bit of an exaggeration?

Yes it is a bit of an exaggeration, but the point I was making is they are bad regardless....there are no GOOD Ciggerettes.

 

[shortbun]

Originally posted by workinggal
Isn't obesity becoming the leading cause of death?

If that's the case, then I think a Big Mack and Fries needs to cost $50.

Screw the cigarette tax. Tax fat!

Let me guess, you smoke!
I'm against adding tax to cigs right now. It's the poor that
will be hurt the most. They spend a bigger percent of their
available income on cigs and beer/wine than any other group.
While I am not poor, don't smoke and rarely drink; children will
bear this hardship before their parents kick their addictions.
I say add tax to luxury items like jewelry, expensive cars, boats
homes 300K and higher,etc. I don't buy that stuff either but those
that do can well afford more taxes. Just call me Robin Hood.