[Waco]

We have it backwards folks. If the nanny state decides it doesn't approve of some personal 'choice" of the freemen, it should be forbidden to raise money for the "public" till from it. If you don't like hockey, don't watch it. But don't ask those that do enjoy it to pay you something for their indulgence. All this crapola is comming from the gov't that is anti-BSA, and pushing the homos on kids faster than the church is. It's got to stop, the church is starting to feel chagrin.

[Bommer]

Some states are going to tax cigarettes right out of business and that is important in Virginia and North Carolina. People should have a choice. Smokers have become discriminated against by big government spending politicians."

For the life of me I just don't know why Phillip Morris and other tabacco companys screw over the states Medicare and other cigerette tax driven programs by just refusing to supply 1 of the states with any tabacco. Start with an extremely cash strapped and anti-tabacco state like CA and embargo it completely. I guarentee that Democraps will be begging for smokes after they get some psycotic response from smokers "Jonesing" out on the CA Capitol steps! Thats when RJR and others strike back with a demand to reduce tax and smoking regulations before they restart shipment.

[Lion's Cub]

It costs about $6 to make a carton of cigarettes, yet they sell for around $35. That's about $29 a carton in taxes.

This gouging of 20% of the American public is a millstone on any economic recovery. There is no discretionary income left for smokers to spend. When people finally figure out that this punitive tax is costing them jobs, they will realize that smokers aren't the only ones being ripped off.

[Piquaboy]

Why doesn't the gummint just outlaw cigarettes? Hmmm!

[lowbridge]

New York State earlier this month began charging $1.50 in taxes for each pack of cigarettes sold. On the same date, April 3, Connecticut began charging $1.11. On July 1, Maryland will begin charging smokers $1 in taxes for every pack. Washington State, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine and Rhode Island also currently have, or soon will have state tobacco taxes of $1 or more per pack.

Oh good. The mafia has been cash strapped lately. This is just what they needed to get themselves back on their feet.

[lowbridge]

Don't forget the Rob Reiner tax in California where cigarettes were taxed at an extra 50 cents a pack. Some of that goes right into Reiner's pocket!

[Fred Mertz]

Sounds like there will be a boom in the black market industry and Indian Internet enterprises.

[Just another Joe]

"Smokers have become discriminated against by big government spending politicians."
Smokers are being discriminated against. Period! Firefighters banned from using tobacco products
Tobacco users need not apply

"They are raising taxes to completely inefficient levels. This is what I would call tyranny of the majority."
They sure are and it sure is.

"We support raising the cigarette excise tax both at the federal and state level," she said. "We think these are important tools for the government."
Ah, social engeneering at it's very best. Use the government as your heavy.

[Great Dane]

Very good article.

[Gabz]

"We support raising the cigarette excise tax both at the federal and state level," she said. "We think these are important tools for the government."

I wonder what the laws are about non-profit organizations with different tax exempt statuses have to say about these organizations lobbying for tax increases???

anyone know????

[Politically Correct]

I'm surprised that no indian reservation is making cigarettes. The profit margin is just fantastic compared to the casinos.