Tobacco tax backers launch campaign with swipe at opponents

Sac Bee ^ | Feb 1, 2012 | staff

[umgud]

Supporters of a tobacco tax slated for the June primary ballot launched the opening salvo today of what is expected to be a multimillion dollar campaign, framing their effort as a battle to beat moneyed "big tobacco" interests.

At a news conference kicking off the campaign, Proposition 29 proponents cast their measure, which would raise taxes on cigarettes by $1 a pack to fund cancer research and anti-smoking programs, as an approach to improve health and save lives.

[Deagle]

I do love listening to Brown dodging his responsibility in the downfall of California..heh!

Not a problem here, but am laughing just a bit...haha.

[Drango]

One of the few tax increases I would support. Raising the cost of cigarettes decreases the demand. That’s a good thing.

[Wooly]

GEE What’s new about this. It is just the California Democrat party attempting to raise money that will be laundered through the American Heart Association. Every single ballot initiative is nothing but this.

[djf]

Since it seems that we are at the point where complications from obesity kill far more people than smoking tobacco does, AIN’T IT TIME FOR A TAX ON POTATO CHIPS???

[Wooly]

“One of the few tax increases I would support. Raising the cost of cigarettes decreases the demand. That’s a good thing.”

Freedom is making decisions for yourself, it does not entail the picking and choosing for other people nor does it involve the use of government to punish other people's behavior.
And do not comeback with the so called “Cost to Society” argument that when it was first used by an eastern law firm suing tobacco companies, was based upon the idea that if a person died before the average life expectancy, they were cheating the government out of tax monies

[Go Gordon]

One of the few tax increases I would support. Raising the cost of cigarettes decreases the demand. That’s a good thing

Spoken like a true liberal. Nice going. Let's social engineer and pick who in society should shoulder the burden of taxation so government can spend more. More class warfare is the answer. Hey, why we're at it, why not increase taxes on liquor? And don't forget soda and candy - people that eat candy and drink soda should have to pay extra taxes so government can afford to give solar energy companies grants and loan guarantees.

[Go Gordon]

Since it seems that we are at the point where complications from obesity kill far more people than smoking tobacco does, AIN’T IT TIME FOR A TAX ON POTATO CHIPS???

Heck no. Let people die before being able to collect social security and burn up Medicare costs. Come on, a little cost benefit analysis goes a long way...

[abishai]

Cigarette smoking kills people. Tax it to death.

Fast food kills people. Tax it to death.

Alcohol kill people. Tax it to death.

Fireworks kill people. Tax it to death.

Guns kill people. Tax them to death.

What else do we not like...

[verklaring]

"...which would raise taxes on cigarettes by $1 a pack to fund cancer research and anti-smoking programs, as an approach to improve health and save lives."

Does any one serious believe that is where the money would go? It is more likely to be used to fund planned Parenthood or some other abomination.

[newzjunkey]

I thought there was already a tobacco tax in CA aimed at this purpose already.

[kingu]

Of course there is. The schools took the money. Which is what will happen with this. And the next tax, and the next one.

[P-Marlowe]

Maybe you should read your own tagline.

Or did you accidentally steal it from a conservative?

[VideoDoctor]

If a Conservative doesn't smoke he chooses NOT to smoke and allows everyone else to make their own choice.

If a Liberal doesn't smoke he wants legislation passed prohibiting everyone from smoking.

[Drango]

Indeed spending is way out of control in California. No doubt a cigarette tax will be squandered and diverted. Non whatsoever.

I’m still in favor of it. Econ 101. An increase in price decreases demand. So while the cigarette tax revenues will go down a rat hole...there will be a benefit to society with less people smoking.

[metesky]

there will be a benefit to society with less people smoking.

there will be a benefit to society with less fewer people smoking.

Fixed it for ya, ignoid.

[Drango]

thanks.

[jmax]

A total of about a quarter of a trillion dollars was awarded to states for medical research, various medical programs, stop-smoking education / campaigns. Everyone should reserch their states to see where the money is being spent. Millions have gone to school teachers, road repairs, miscellaneous city and state services, state and city employee salaries, city parks, swimming pools, water & sewage facilities, etc, etc. They always tie cigarettes to something in order to reallocate the money, ie; "This new 2 million dollar swimming pool will allow our children to swim after school instead of hanging out on street corners smoking". Or, "we need the funds for the new senior citizen center..... it's the least we can do for our parents and grandparents who have had their health ruined by those evil tobacco companies,,,,I mean they forced them to smoke....even had a cowboy on TV and billboards on a horse and wearing a Marlborro coat smoking some kind of nasty cigarette. Therefore, there is no better use for this money. I mean it's just sitting in the bank and not being used." Some state officials from across the country who illegally used the tobacco money should probably be in the slammer, sharing a cell with the likes of the chief tobacco trial lawyer Dickie Scruggs & his wannabe son, Zack, and Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz who was raking in the bribes from the tobacco lawyers.

Just the opinion of someone who has smoked thousands and thousands of cigarettes in the past 45 years or so, while knowing they were not good for me. Finally quit on my own a couple of years ago.....cold turkey. DON'T ANYONE TELL ME I SHOULDa - woulda - coulda HAVE QUIT SOONER ,,,,,,,IT WAS MY RIGHT TO DO WHAT I WANTED. Even went to a war to protect that right. Should I ever one day regret smoking (and it's a good chance I will), it will be my choice to regret it.

They will be coming after your baby's diapers and milk bottle next. I mean, those trial lawyers lost millions in this recession and will be wanting to refill their offshore accounts.

[PA Engineer]

One of the few tax increases I would support. Raising the cost of cigarettes decreases the demand. That’s a good thing.

You should really think about what you just said. Look at your tagline.

(A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)

[PA Engineer]

Maybe you should read your own tagline.

Darn. You beat me.