Cigarettes Target Of Smash-And-Grab Theft/Pittsburg

Yahoo News ^ | 16 July 2002

[SheLion]

A reported smash-and-grab robbery targeting cigarettes was reported Tuesday.

WTAE reported that, at about 2 a.m. Tuesday, a rock was thrown through the glass door of Bell's Mini-Mart, along Fifth and Liberty avenues, Downtown.

The suspects reportedly stole at least 40 packs of cigarettes.

Police eventually caught up with two men in possession of 19 packs of cigarettes in plastic bags.

One suspect is charged with burglary and both are charged with receiving stolen property.

A 69-cents-per-pack tax hike took effect July 15.

In an attempt to make up for a $1.3 billion budget deficit and also to combat teen smoking, Pennsylvania began imposing one of the largest cigarette tax increases in the country. It pushed the tax to about $1 per pack of cigarettes and the cost of a pack to about $5.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Don't be so hard on those who choose to smoke.

Smoke all you want. Just don't subidize the Nanny state by paying these kinds of outrageous taxes. Quit smoking just to deprive them of their income.

[Capt_Hank]

Please add me to your list. Even though I quit on October 18, 2001 at 4:12PM, I will continue to stand up for smokers' rights. There are times now, I'd kill for a Marlboro red.

[RikaStrom]

I didn't think it would start so soon. Unreal.

[Protagoras]

Mr. Darwin needs to take care of people who are that stoopid.

He must be falling down on the job or you wouldn't exist.

[Gabz]

Good for you for quitting - and better than you aren't joining the ranks of the anti-smokers!!!!!

Thanks for your support!!!!!

[Protagoras]

They are just taking up space that people with brains could use.

That leaves you out. Maybe you should apply for theirs since you don't have one of your own.

[SheLion]

Please add me to your list. Even though I quit on October 18, 2001 at 4:12PM, I will continue to stand up for smokers' rights. There are times now, I'd kill for a Marlboro red.

Gotcha. Thanks!

And thanks for your support. You know that if the anti's succeed with smokers, they will be going after something else. For instance: they have already started on fat.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

That leaves you out. Maybe you should apply for theirs since you don't have one of your own.

People who voluntarily subsidize corrupt municipal governments by paying exorbitant taxes like this are morons. Buy the cigarettes over the internet. Drive to the nearest reservation. Do anything but voluntarily give money to those clowns in the form of unjust taxes.

And if you think bending over and taking it is okay, you are among the brainless, not me.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

He must be falling down on the job or you wouldn't exist.

I don't care if they smoke. I do care if they enable corrupt municipal governments to continue to operate by paying exorbitant taxes on a discretionary luxury. Buy them over the internet, drive to a reservation, anything, but don't bow down to corrupt, unjust taxation like this. Anyone who does is a lazy moron.

[PA Engineer]

If Yahoo could only spell "Pittsburg".

[SheLion]

If Yahoo could only spell "Pittsburg".

Sorry, I think that's my mistake.

[Osinski]

Well now, what a delicious prospect. The new revolution begins based upon prohibitive taxes.

[Protagoras]

You trolled for flames and you got them. I'm sure you're happy.

I don't smoke and the reason you got flamed is because of this moronic statement.

Anyone who would pay that DESERVES to die of cancer.

And this one

Anyone who voluntarily pays outrageous taxes like this deserves to die of cancer.

It's not about taxes because the same case could be made for most of them, including the graduated income tax.

[Movemout]

The Law of Unintended Consequences has become my favorite law never passed by Congress. It lurks in the shadows awaiting stupid legislators of every stripe. It is neither liberal nor conservative. It is just there.

[PA Engineer]

I'd rather blame Yahoo. ;-)

[Gabz]

Buy them over the internet, drive to a reservation, anything, but don't bow down to corrupt, unjust taxation like this. Anyone who does is a lazy moron.

Now Im starting to see where you are coming from.

[SheLion]

I'd rather blame Yahoo. ;-)

Me, too!!!

[Great Dane]

This happened a lot in Canada, until the tax was reduced, now the taxes are even higher........ watch the theft increasing again, but in a bigger way.

A can of 200 grams of loose tobacco is now $42 here, up from $23 early this year.

[mountaineer]

I just wish all those Picksburghers and Western Pennsylvanians in need of cheaper smokes would come over to the Northern Panhandle to buy them (as I understand it, being a nonsmoker, they're still available at $2.50-ish) - and pick up a few other items while you're here. We could use the revenue!

[Dakmar]

So here we are, TJ, caught between people who want us to die for following the law, and other who want us to die for breaking it. What a sad state of affairs.