Posted on 04/16/2007 6:06:25 AM PDT by rellimpank
RAPID CITY -- A big problem is looming for state government, and it all stems from rapidly falling sales of tobacco products, according to state Sen. Bill Napoli, R-Rapid City.
Effective Jan. 1, the state tax increased by $1 for a 20-stick pack of cigarettes and by $1.25 for a 25-cigarette pack. The tax on all other items, such as cigars and chewing tobacco, jumped
(Excerpt) Read more at rapidcityjournal.com ...
Good. Now non-smokers can experience pain of withdrawals.
Who did not see this coming?
—the state legislature in South Dakota, apparently-—
But they’re saving money by the bucketfulls in healthcare expenses, right???
I guess they must have cut the courses that discussed price elasticity. Remember, dear “progressives”, what you subsidize you will get more of and what you tax you will get less. If the taxed smokers can purchase their sticks elsewhere or on the internet, then you are experiencing a very good lesson.
I hae long thought that the state governments were becoming so addicted to tobacco tax money that when people started to quit in enough numbers they would start ad campaigns to encourage smoking to keep up revenue.
They added the tax to stop people from smoking. People did and now they say they are losing money - how can that be since they said it would make money due to the decrease in medical costs as well.
Was there no reduction in medical costs? How come?
Textbook case of a “duh!” moment.
I swear, there are times when I think organized crime was/is behind these tax increases. You may smile, but think about it a minute -- they're the only ones whoever profit from this. And,boy, do they profit!
Nanny State PING!
The law of unintended consequences.........
They actually thought it would last forever. They demanded more and more, made smokers more and more isolated and yet the morons thought it could last forever. LOL
They keep going to the tobacco tax well for more money and the well is starting to dry up.
They put many bars out of business by raising loquor taxes and aggressive enforcement of DUI’s then they tried to ruin the rest of them with anti-smoking odinances, now they have just about killed the Goose that lays the Golden Egg and they will start looking elsewhere for another Goose.
—the state legislature in South Dakota, apparently—
Unless, of course they did see it coming and figured it would be a good excuse to raise other taxes when it did. We can't defund schools and social programs can we?
In my state, I’ve heard that you can buy them at the Indian casino without paying state taxes.
...Compels one to want to smuggle Havanas.
Make them illegal and then listen to the politicians. Stupid bass turds.
Except that all of the new non-smokers are now getting fat and will need bariatric surgery at $40,000 each.
I don't need to tell you that the truckers are doing the same thing.
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