I don't think to smoke, or not, has anything to do with conservatism.
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.”
I don't think to smoke, or not, has anything to do with conservatism.
Mine just went up 95 cents per pack here in MN! Time to pick up that Chantix prescription.
If people are still smoking they cannot possibly believe that the increase in the price is due to retail greed, unless they are Democrats!
Like any tax, this is affected by the law of diminishing returns. Pretty soon there will be a “tax shortfall” and something else will have to be taxed to make up for it.
Zero's class of peeps are normally quite ignorant, so I'm sure they will buy into the lie that Obama isn't the one raising their taxes, it was the evil republicans that made him do it.
They will just buy off the black market anyway.
Nice to see you’ve joined obuma’s tax team. You should consider going over to DU because you sure don’t belong here.
Smoke Easy’s...Black Market cigs.
How about an annual "anti-freedom" tax of $1,000/regulation on HMOs...paid by the board members/officers personally?
Maybe charge lawmakers $10,000 for each bill they introduce that contains or authorized new regulations. Deduct it directly from their pay. $100,000 if it contains or authorizes new or increased fees or taxes.
“Like any tax, this is affected by the law of diminishing returns. Pretty soon there will be a “tax shortfall” and something else will have to be taxed to make up for it.”
If 40 million packs are sold per day US, with obama’s added tax of 1.00, x365, this is an increased revenue of 14.6 billion annual?
If my estimates and calculations are close to correct, then obama’s increase on a pack of smokes ‘ain’t gonna git er done.’ Since HSI estimates are nearly 500 billion increased expenditures annualy for his child health plan.
Perhaps someone with a better calculater than mine can verify the numbers? But at quick glance, they ‘ain’t jivin.’ So he’s gonna need more revenue for his plan...about 450 billion more annual?
Lets just bend over and give up more of our liberty.
Tax revolt
My wife’s friend was going to vote for Democrats last fall. Her daughter and I talked her into McCain. She is happy now she voted that way. She works several jobs trying to make a living so she rolls her own cigarettes. Boy is she mad now that the Democrats raised her tobacco from $9.99 to over $34 per bag.
Remember no tax hike on ANYONE making less than $250,000. Another LIE!
DEMOCRAT = LIES!!!
Anything they deem frivolous or bad for Gaea. Booze, gas guzzlers, ammunition, snack foods, the list is endless..
But, smoking is the current bogeyman and they can get away with this for now. When cigarette revenue goes up in smoke (cough) they’ll move one to the next liberal cash cow.
Smoking has zero to do with conservatism.
And they’re about to legalize it (already did in CA).
Think that's a stretch, sheeple?
I just stocked up on 7 months worth of tobacco and tubes. I also bought the NJOY electronic cigarette.
It’s not bad at all. It really does feel like I’m just smoking a cig. It’s actually a little harsher on my throat than tobacco, so I’ve got to take it easy.
And it’s pretty! (I got the burgundy one!)
I can’t believe they’re thinking about raising the tax on eCigs as well.
I thought they just wanted us to be healthy?
No. The NeoPuritians just want to tell us what we can and cannot put in our bodies and I suppose nicotine is on the no-no list.
Maybe we should all just start smoking weed. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper. /sarcasm
“No conservative should support smoking.”
What the hell is the link between non-smoking and being a conservative?
Another logic-twisting poster!!
I would bet a steak dinner at Ruth's Chris that there are bills taxing EVERYTHING you mentioned in the works as we speak.
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