[SheLion]

"You could put a sliding fee on those who [continue to smoke] so that they will have to pay a portion of the bill when they go see a medical professional, a doctor or whoever," he said. "I am not sure which way to go on this. I want to go with what is the most successful way to get people to stop" smoking.

Then just say you quit two months ago.  If you are caught smoking by a health care person, just say "Oh gosh, I had a relapse!  I am going to quit again post haste!!  (They can not prove that you are lying).

"The state could raise taxes on cigarettes without unduly interfering with people’s lives or engaging in lifestyle discrimination."

RAISE TAXES???????????????  Maine just RAISED taxes! $2.00 a pack and $20 dollars on a carton.  Are they NUTS?  Who do they think they are kidding.

What a bunch of idiots.

Hastedt said that even though her organization advocates for Maine’s poor, it supported increases in the tax on cigarettes in part because the higher price is a smoking deterrent to poor Mainers. "That kind of approach — that is, increasing the cost of a product that is wreaking havoc with the health of the people of Maine — is the right approach," Hastedt said.

A lot of these people on Medicare are elderly.  This state sure must be hard up for money!

Smokers already pay more then their fair share of health care costs.  I am so sick and tired of this state targeting smokers that I can just barf!

Funny, smoking rates have dropped dramatically while health care costs have risen dramatically at the same time. It seems to me that the correlation PROVES that a lack of smokers causes higher health care costs!

  click on image for the truth.  They say "why spend money on cigarettes when you can spend it on the patch and nicorette!!!  Big Pharm needs the money!

Heh!

[SheLion]

Maine Throw Up Ping!!!!!

[trumandogz]

Or perhaps Maine could do away with their socialized medicine program.

[metesky]

The Martins of Eagle Lake have always been statists to the nth degree.

[Gay State Conservative]

The first set of sanctions should be against those who are more than 33% over their "normal" weight.A proposal like that would cause riots in the streets.

[Prokopton]

Maine collects $216 million each year from tobacco taxes and lawsuit settlements. Why don't they use this money to treat smokers?

[absolootezer0]

ouch. hard to say which is worse. letting so many people stay on medicare, or using smoking as a reason to kick them off.

[Little Bill]

I think that the Peoples Republic of Maine could save a lot more money with a fat tax on those spending their welfare money at the Rochester Market Basket,in Rochester, NH, not that we mind them spending it here.

I am far from a health nut but this is ridiculous, I have taken to calling it "Waltz of the Elephants Day", they do move a lot of Basic Cigarettes and rather bad beer though.

[Indy Pendance]

Well, knock me over with a feather, I didn't know you couldn't smoke on mars.

[redlocks322]

Not to mention the fact that most health care plans DO NOT cover anti-smoking medications or programs. It took 3 months for my insurance co. to approve Wellbutrin for my "depression" - they kept sending my doctor paperwork wanting to know if it was for smoking cessation. I finally gave up on the pills and on quitting... but I am down to 3/4 pack a day now on good days... ;-)

[383rr]

BTW, they ought to change the state motto to "Maine, the way life in Red China should be!"

[albie]

I used to live in Portland, Me in the mid 80's. John Martin owned a meat market (nightclub) called "John Martin's Merry Manor". I'm NOT kidding. It was sleazy with fish tanks all over the place, a huge dance floor, and some of the U-G-L-Y-est women you've ever seen. (Maine women are notoriously about the homeliest things I've ever seen. Think it's the weather, or the misery of socialism)

[yoe]

"The state could raise taxes on cigarettes without unduly interfering with people’s lives or engaging in lifestyle discrimination."

Arizona did, $1.80 is one tax on a pack of smokes, a legal substance. Why after all the years smoking has taken a hit when that habit is only the tip of the ice berg to unhealthy substances used daily from dying hair to cleansing concoctions; fabrics to lotions. You name it and some people or pets are just plain sensitive to various things. I think a Beer tax is in order to share the burden of folks who want to smoke and drink. This latest tax is sure to enrich the out of state sales for cheap cigarettes and the home grown and cured tobacco plant up and running.

[New Perspective]

Great, how about getting them off the system, off my back, and out of my pockets.

[mysterio]

I heard an obese nonsmoker the other day complaining that he could smell smoke from other houses when he was outside. It's going to be so funny when they use this groundwork to go after fat people.

[chessplayer]

"Mainers on Medicaid who smoke would be offered incentives to stop smoking and could face sanctions for not quitting under a measure being introduced by Sen. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake."

How about sanctions against those who drink alcohol, soda, or coffee? How about sanctions against the overweight? How about sanctions against those who don`t eat what The State mandates? There is no end to liberal stupidity.

[ArtyFO]

Maine - the only state without a Red Lobster restaurant.

[ArtyFO]

I wonder if this will apply to Maine indians who, by law, are allowed untaxed cigarettes.

[sodpoodle]

Medicare is for the elderly - not necessarily poor.
Medicaid is part Federal, part State medical funding for the poor.

My question: If you are eligible for Medicaid (see poverty guidelines) how can you possibly afford 3 packs of cigarettes a day @ $5.00 a pack = $15.00 a day or $450 a month.
http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/06fedreg.htm

2006 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of
Columbia

---

Poverty
Persons in family unit guideline

---

1............ $9,800
2............ 13,200
3............ 16,600
4........... 20,000
5............ 23,400
6............ 26,800
7........... 30,200
8........... 33,600
For family units with more than 8 persons, add $3,400 for each
additional person.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

Funny, smoking rates have dropped dramatically while health care costs have risen dramatically ....

Also, state programs, many unrelated to smoking, funded with smoking lawsuit/cig tax dollars have mandated funding regardless of revenue (ie., less revenue due to smoker declines). How many such programs ever get cut back?

So, it's go back to the well (smokers) because smokers are the one minority that can be publically attacked, and taxed, with moral immunity.

Many of those healthcare "costs" cited by every state can be directly attributed to supporting our illegals within the healthcare system for free.

But, it's easier to go after smokers...

[Just another Joe]

"One of the questions that came out of discussions I had with physicians is why we are as a state, and the federal government, paying the health care cost of people that are smoking two and three packs a day."

How about because they paid their money in?