Hi,
You got me. I was generalizing. It's good you corrected me. I was speaking from memory, and then I accidentally found an article today that explains and updates the MSA in detail. It also details the progress of the small independent Jeffrey Uvezian, International Tobacco Partners, in challenging the settlement. It's at http://www.smokersclubinc.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1042 and the story is from Forbes.
You're right....and I should have specified it was the state Attorney Generals, but the price increase was across the board from the tobacco companies and had the same effect as an excise tax to the consumer. The original increase was $.45, then $.18 the next year, and $.19 more the year after that. So, two years after the settlement, the price increase total was $.82 per pack of cigarettes to the tobacco manufacturers!
Wow, you've been at this far longer than I have, but I remember reading about the MSA in the news. I was working for a financial investment firm at that time, and I didn't know anything about these issues. I just knew I was irritated about the way smokers were being treated, didn't like having to go outside for a cigarette and refused to apologize to anyone for smoking.
Which group do you know me from? I looked at your profile, (love the Cookie Monster) but that didn't tell me. BTW, I entered my profile on this site now too. If you would prefer to e-mail me personally, that's fine.....but I'm really curious. Also, thanks again for the warm welcome you and Texas Cowboy gave me yesterday.
I didn't mean to "get you" and no insult or offense was meant. And in return you did a good "gotcha" on me, regarding the incrementalism of the MSA "tax" - I had forgotten about that. Lately I've been paying far more attention to the various states trying to pull the NPMs further into it, as opposed to the entire picture.
The MSA was a nasty piece of work and smokers are the only ones that pay for it and I just wish more were aware of what it did and continues to do.....which is why I keep posting at places like this. You never know when someone might wake up.
Yes, I've been at this a very long time. My husband and I were talking about it last week.......I got involved in the issue while I was still married to my 1st husband - and I've been divorced from him more than 16 years. My ex was a smoker, but did not approve of my getting vocal when there was talk about banning smoking in private businesses (bars & restaurants) back in the late 80s in our town. of course he didn't approve of just about anything I did...but I do not wish to speak ill of the dead, he passed away over a week ago - which in part precipitated the conversation between my husband and I.
As to which group do I know you from? Pick anyone of the smoker's email lists and you will find that even though I don't post often, I'm on all of them. I am a VP of FORCES and on the BOD.
Thanks about the Cookie Monster.....she's going to be 7 and I guess I took that picture about 3 years ago. My activism comes after her.