Van Dough: Why cigarette smugglers love New York.

Reason Online ^ | 7/5/02 | Jacob Sullum

[Maelstrom]

Yes, violence, wait and watch.

[Timesink]

Cigarette smuggling has been going on in plenty of states around the country for several years now, as various liberal states jack up the tax rate 300% when the state next door was selling cartons for half the price even before the tax increase. And the nation is not awash in cigarette-related violence. It simply isn't going to happen as long as cigarettes are a legal product that can be purchased almost anywhere by anyone, and the only difference is price.

[Great Dane]

The ANTI'S and politicians also claims that for every 10% increase in price, smoking goes down by 4%..... at that rate, shouldn't we be 100% smokefree by now. ???

[Vince Ferrer]

The Oneida Nation, the nearest reservation to NYC, is going to be richer than the Saudis in a few years.

[Max McGarrity]

but for tabacco companys to be solely taxed

Ah, but the tobacco companies don't PAY the taxes...their customers do. They sold us out with their agreement to pass on all these excessive, oppressive, regressive, punitive taxes to the little guy while protecting their markets and actually trying to create a monopoly. So I don't ever mind trashing the industry just like they trashed us. SMOKE CHEAP--it's your civic duty! Make your own for around $8/ctn!

[Max McGarrity]

Steve, I'd go with either of the two machines mentioned here; I'm using the Excel now and it's great. Had a Supermatic before and gave it to a friend to encourage him to make his own. I'd also suggest you call 1-800-CHEWERS and ask for the free Fred Stoker catalog. They have a Sampler Pack of RYO tobaccos, I think six different ones. Gives you a real good idea what's available.

[Max McGarrity]

Absolutely, Great Dane. I've been trying to find out the average price of brand name cigarettes in 1991. When I do, I'll tell you just how stupid that anti statement really is.

[VA Advogado]

Hey She!! Happy 4th! Just wanted to let you know that Audrey Silk is on Fox with Neil Cavuto (sp?). Audrey rocks!

[Gabz]

Yes, audrey is a gem and can sure hold her own against the socialistic antis!!!!

[SheLion]

Yes! Audrey DOES rock! I watched her on Cavuto. She is very well versed in the smoking issue. I just wish they would give her more time to get the point across!

That Danny is another anti-a$$hole!!!!

[VA Advogado]

I think you should get some TV time. :)

[Clive]

"That's what happened several years ago in Canada, where the government was forced to cut cigarette taxes in response to widespread smuggling and evasion."

It actually got to the point wherein the tobacco companies were participating in a tax evasion conspiracy involving shipping Canadian cigarettes to the US to be smuggled back into Canada through the Akwasasne - St. Regis Mohawk reserves.

That is another nice thing about New York from a smuggling perspective - an aboriginal reserve straddling the international boundary.

It got quite hairy for a while involving firefights in the reserve and on the river. At one point the municipal offices at Cornwall took some rounds.

[SheLion]

I think you should get some TV time. :)

~~~~~~blush

[jaz.357]

Cool grafix SheLion. Marlboro $2.40 a pack here in Richmond VA.

[NYCVirago]

I actually hit the "smugglers" link hoping to find a list of names (cuz I need names!). LOL, no such luck.

I was thinking the same thing! How sad is that?

[speekinout]

I agree with you that violence is not going to be an issue. Much of the "smuggling" is going to be rather hard to prosecute. Presents for relatives and family. Courtesy gifts for business contacts. Tourists (both from and to NY) taking a carton or two into the state. Internet sales.
Americans are resourceful, and the product is still legal.

[Jhoffa_]

Smuggling cigs had been going on for as long as Cigarette taxes have existed.

One notorious mob turncoat described how he got into the mafia with this gig. The plan was simple, drive across state lines.. buy as much as you can carry.. drive back.. drive around to factories & construction sites when they were on break.

He said when he first got into it and sold all he had after a couple of stops they started renting trucks to go make the buys.

[M. T. Cicero II]

Tell me more about these "cartons from Columbia"...

[_Jim]

This was meant for you.

What makes you think I like taxes - taxes on anything for that matter?

If these smoking-Nazis want to OUTLAW cigs - do it and quit farting around with taxing them out of existance.

And I'm speaking as one who went through a period where I puffed on cigs for awhile ...

[_Jim]

RINO Mayor Bloomberg

YOU KNOW he's really a democrat - don't you?

He ONLY became a Repub to run for mayor (the pipeline is too back-up on the DemocRat side to get in edgewise) ...