[chance33_98]

Saw a blurb about cigarette sales being down 50% in NY - so much for the money they were going to raise by taxing them.

[Teacher317]

Hehe, I bet smoking isn't down 50%, though. I'm sure PA, NJ, VT, NH, and CT appreciate the business!

[Stand Watch Listen]

...cigarette sales being down 50% in NY

Hmmmmm....sales may be down 50%, but smoking may be up due to sales from the internet, neighboring States and especially the (Native-American)Indian tax free(?) stores.

[Dianna]

My mom told me she saw that the other day. Maybe it was Fox's news ticker. Not being widely reported anywhere.

[amused]

Saw a blurb about cigarette sales being down 50% in NY - so much for the money they were going to raise by taxing them.

I believe Mayor Bloomberg stated that he would raise taxes on cigs so high he would be glad not to receive any revenue(ie make them so expensive everyone will quit.)

Of course this ignores evidence and experience provided by the WOD. Reported hijackings and cigarette smuggling operations have taken off as a result of high taxes. Indian reservations are doing quite a brisk business in cig sales here in San Diego.

[NeoCaveman]

Saw a blurb about cigarette sales being down 50% in NY - so much for the money they were going to raise by taxing them.

Well 8 cents times 30 million packs is Less than $1.50 times 15 million packs. It looks income positive to me.

Note I am pro-freedom and anti tobacco-taxes.

[Thisiswhoweare]

Greed. I saw on Fox today some yahoos want to put a 10 cent tax per espresso in WA. To pay for child care for families that can't afford it. opponents said, "Why should the few folks that buy coffee be forced to pay more taxes than others?"

As a smoker, that's my question on the taxes, higher life insurance, etc. Supposedly, the original tobacco settlement was to reimburse states for the medical costs that smoking illness treatment caused. Instead, they seem to be saying, " If you smoke, you brought illness on yourself and on your way out help others by spending all money you would have otherwise left to your family on lawyers and state budgets."

They limit where you can smoke, some shun you if you do. Somehow, I remember the complaints when they taxed SS and ended up having to refund millions.

It's time the states and feds have to suffer the budget shortfalls and live within their means like the rest. Develop positive ways to produce new revenue and quit living off a few!

This affects smoker's today and coffe drinker's tomorrow and maybe you next...