Why not just round up ALL the smokers???

KOMO TV ^ | 11/27/2001 | Ken Schram

[notyourregularhandle]

SEATTLE - Maybe it's time to just round up all the smokers.

We can send authorities out to rip little babies from the arms of those Marlboro smokin' moms. Dads can stoically drag on a Lucky Strike as their kids watch them being hauled away.

Why not? Smokers are all pariahs; a blight on society whose only value is the ever-increasing tax revenue they provide by their pitiful purchases of packs and cartons of tobacco.

With passage of Initiative 773, that tax revenue takes a big bump up. Maybe.

I-773 adds another .60 cents in tax to each and every pack of cigarettes. On Jan. 1, that'll total out to $1.43 tax per pack.

Now, while smokers may be pariahs, they're not stupid. They can get a better deal at tribal smokeshops. They can order tax-free cigarettes over the Internet. Of course, it's illegal to do that.

Which has redrawn the attention of state authorities and state economists. With dollar signs lighting up their eyes, state folks are trying to figure out how to trap those swindling smokers.

'Cause if they can catch 'em, then they can fine them.

Oooooh, MORE revenue!

Who should be next? Tax cheaters who buy expensive clothes and stereos online, slicing the state out of the take?

How about we frisk grandma as she comes back from Oregon with a couple of untaxed bottles of peppermint schnapps in her purse?

Forget it. That's a bad idea. See, they're "good" citizens.

Smokers? They're easy targets. Who'd speak out for someone dumb enough to be sucking addictive, unhealthy crap into their lungs? Tax 'em with impunity!

By the way, time to fess up here. I smoke.

So, who knows. Maybe someday you can round us all up; snatch the babies from our arms; send us off to where we'll never be heard from again (once the tax coffers are filled).

Then? Well, then you can go after those red meat eaters!

[notyourregularhandle]

BTTT

[Gabz]

I have read out of every dollar spent on healthcare sixty sents of it is spent on SMOKING REALTED ILLNESSES.

You read wrong. Even the Congressional Research Service, at the request of an anti-smoking Congresscritter said that smokers MORE than pay their own way as far as health care costs are concerned.

[Gabz]

sooo everyone that disagrees with you ADDICTED sickos are NAZIS??????- NICE!

WOW - what a way to make friends and influence people.

I would have loved to have been your drill sargeant. You really should change your screen name to NAMBYMARINE - as in namby pamby.

[Vigilantcitizen]

I loved the Irony when McDonalds was one of the first restaurants to ban smoking,"Out of concern for peoples health", whilst shovin' artery clogging big macs down their throats.

But I'm partial to the doublecheesburgers.

[Max McGarrity]

Say, did you know you can still smoke in the casinos in Reno?

Yep, and the antis in Nevada have their panties all in a wad about it. "Officials start to craft ballot measure on smoking restrictions--Kenny behind plan to ensure cleaner air in restaurants, other public places" from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 9, 2001.

[jonathonandjennifer]

Hobey Baker makes a detailed, reasoned reply to your argument, and you reply with this lazy, ignorant SHOUT. Did you read his post? Did you understand it? Did you even try? If not, why don't you just F..F..F..FADE AWAY!

[Max McGarrity]

I have read out of every dollar spent on healthcare sixty sents of it is spent on SMOKING REALTED ILLNESSES.

You read wrong.

[cidrasm]

Say, did you know you can still smoke in the casinos in Reno?

I guess I missed the part where smoking was outlawed in Nevada. Reno is still in Nevada.... right?

[Max McGarrity]

"Why is that? Are cigarettes singled out from the "No tax on internet" bill that was just extended for two years?" ...I was wondering that myself...anyone have any answers as to why it is illegal???

It's the Jenkins Act. Now, you're probably asking yourself 'what the hay is the Jenkins Act?' And I'd love to be able to tell you, but the file that contains that information is corrupted, so I'll have to get back to you on the details.

The anti-smoker ordinances are not federal, only some of the taxes are. A few states, like Kookiefornia, have statewide bans, but most of the ordinances are local. The antis like it that way: it's far easier to hoodwink a few local yokels on the council than an entire state legislature.

[Bella_Bru]

I didn't think smoking indoors was illegal in Nevada. Every restaurant I have ever been to there has a smoking section.

[cidrasm]

I have read out of every dollar spent on healthcare sixty sents of it is spent on SMOKING REALTED ILLNESSES.

Your ADDICTION is costing me money

You make the mistake of assuming that those monies come from your tax dollars. They don't. Ever heard of insurance? Apparently not.

[notyourregularhandle]

I think it's time to tax the air we breath, that way everbody will be taxed, we'll call it the fair-air tax ....

Well at the rate we're going...hold your breath! ;) lol

[poet]

The GESTAPO at work!!!
Don't those moronic wackos realize they won't get the taxes!!! Can you say totalitarians? American talibans!

[notyourregularhandle]

It's the Jenkins Act. Now, you're probably asking yourself 'what the hay is the Jenkins Act?' And I'd love to be able to tell you, but the file that contains that information is corrupted, so I'll have to get back to you on the details. The anti-smoker ordinances are not federal, only some of the taxes are. A few states, like Kookiefornia, have statewide bans, but most of the ordinances are local. The antis like it that way: it's far easier to hoodwink a few local yokels on the council than an entire state legislature.

Thanks for the info! ;)

[Nubbin]

I am a physician, and I will tell you that OBESITY is a MUCH bigger risk figure for people than smoking.

I knew this! I'm a nurse and worked in long term care facilities for several years. There were still a few smokers around in their 80's, but NO obese residents.

[cidrasm]

Oh, I totally agree ... I'm just amazed that Nevada manages to get around what I thought was a federal law

Federal law? What federal law? There are federal regulations that prohibit smoking in federal buildings, but there isn't a federal law prohibiting smoking in public places (read the Constitution to find out what pervue the Feds have with respect to laws that affect the states and those who live therein).

[BunnySlippers]

Federal law? What federal law?

Are those state laws that prohibit smoking in offices? They have been in effect here in CA for at least 8 years. Also no smoking in restaurants ( know that's a state law).

[Max McGarrity]

Bless you both.

[Max McGarrity]

State and local, municipal or county, not federal ordinances ban smoking in various places.