Posted on 03/13/2009 3:07:22 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Tobacco connoisseurs can't catch a break.
A new federal tax recently approved by President Obama has increased cigarette carton prices by more than $10 - about 75 cents a pack.
The tax was passed in January as part of a multibillion dollar package to provide health care for children and certain legal immigrants. Local tobacco users and dealers admit the cause is admirable, but said the tax is unjust.
“There is about zero common sense or logic in this whole tax,” said David Roth, owner of Tobacco Alley in Somerset. “It is a revenue stream that has been drying up for years.”
Cigarettes are not the only tobacco product with rising prices. Roth said bagged tobacco will be increased by $25 a pound.
The tax becomes official in April; however, retailers said that manufacturers have already increased their prices to prepare for the hike. As a result, prices in stores started going up on Monday.
“The more you raise taxes on this product, the less money the government is bringing in,” Roth said. “That many more people are quitting or going to the black market.”
U.S. Rep. John Murtha voted for the tax to help bring health care to 11 million children, including 227,000 in Pennsylvania, according to a prepared statement from his office.
“The CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) improves both the health and chance for success of these children, and it saves us money by reducing costly emergency room visits which have come to supplement primary care,” Murtha said.
Alice Holler, a smoker from the Meyersdale area, said she doesn't have a problem with helping children. But coupled with the state smoking ban, Holler said smokers are being hit too hard. The ban started in September and prohibits smoking in most public places.
“I feel they should start taxing something else instead of cigarettes,” she said while walking along West Main Street in Somerset on Thursday. She suggested levying a tax on alcohol instead.
Sheetz waited until Wednesday to raise its tobacco prices. Lou Sheetz, vice president of marketing, said tobacco sales equal about one-third of their in-store business.
“The tax is excessive,” he said. “The money will be put to good use, I am sure. It will be a burden to that (smoking) portion of adults.”
Sheetz said customers usually blame the retailer for price increases. But when it comes to taxation, Sheetz said, their hands are tied.
“It isn't real until it hits, and it hit us,” he said. “Now we have to pass it on to the customer.”
Zero’s peeps on the street ain’t gonna like this.
no worries, the prez. gets his for free anyway
Good....Less kids will become addicted. No conservative should support smoking.
Maybe menthols were excluded?
Is this guy for real or are all his customers Democrats?
The Brady people could easily make the same argument about ammunition and firearms.
Oh ... kay.
Hmmm...wonder what you do we could tax
No Conservative would suppor this tax
Low flush toilets.
“Good....Less kids will become addicted. No conservative should support smoking.”
They’ll just switch to marijuana - it’s more socially acceptable, cheaper, and available.
Are Newport’s exempt?
Can we support them?
Or Camels?
Maybe they should do what CA is considering.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090313/us_time/08599188495600
I’m neutral on this subject, but I will say that this ought to raise some $$$.
Maybe it was Sheetz Byrd?
The weenies at Ammunition Accountability are already pressing for a 5 cents a round tax.
What’s your vice? Maybe they should raise the tax on that, for your own good.
Grow your own. It’s easy. Curing is any other story. I’ve got it handled.
GREAT math.
Ten packs of cigarettes per carton.
Increase of more than $10.00 per carton.
Let's see:
$10.00(more than) divided by 10 = $0.75.
But the tax plan will WORK!
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