Posted on 09/19/2012 6:55:32 PM PDT by SMGFan
ated: Sep 19, 2012 9:57 AM EDT HEALTHDAY NEWS - New research finds that high cigarette taxes take a heavy toll on low-income smokers, compared to those who are wealthier.
In a study, researchers at RTI International found that poor smokers in New York state -- which has the country's highest state cigarette tax at $4.35 a pack -- spent about 25 percent of their household income on cigarettes. Nationally, the average spending was about 14 percent.
By contrast, the richest smokers nationwide and in New York spent about 2 percent of their household income on cigarettes.
"Excise taxes are effective in changing smokers' behavior," study author Matthew Farrelly, chief scientist and senior director of RTI's public health policy research program, said in an RTI statement. "But not all smokers are able to quit, and low-income smokers are disproportionately burdened by these taxes."
Despite the high taxes in New York state, the study found that the percentage of people with incomes under $25,000 who smoked didn't decline from 2003-2004 to 2009-2010.
"Special efforts are needed to reduce smoking among those with low incomes," Farrelly said. "States, especially New York, generate significant revenue from cigarette taxes, but only a small percentage of that money is used for tobacco control programs. It seems only fair that states with high cigarette taxes should adequately fund cessation interventions for low-income smokers who shoulder a disproportionate share of cigarette taxes."
The researchers relied on surveys of more than 13,000 people.
The study, funded by New York State Health Department, appeared Sept. 12 in the journal PLoS One.
“BTW, tobacco grows in almost every state of the union, and really isn’t that hard to grow or process. Tax free. “
I know. Family has a small tobacco farm.
“Enjoy your smug, and your new taxes.”
The article claims the taxes are aimed at the poor somehow as though the item should b taxed because the poor get hurt. The taxes are a ripoff no matter who they hurt, so your defensive comments are just silly.
“Just curious- there are lots of sins we could tax...”
They seem to tax every one of mine; Cigars, Sotch, beer, aviation fuel, off road racing, firearms, etc.
Smokinh really is dumb. I am not for taxing it, but don’t go get defensive about it and expect sympathy.
CodeToad has a life outside of your smoking. Sorry you are so defensive about it. It rather narcissistic to think someone must hang around FR waiting to answer your every post. You really aren’t my hero, but I know a really good therapist that can help you with that.
“Gee,you folks ought to start a “We are perfect humans” ping list.”
I prefer to think of it as not being stupid enough to smoke, stinking up our persons, ruining our health, and looking like idiots standing outside smoking like little 13 year olds trying to sneak smokes at junior high school.
Sorry, but reaching for excellence used to be an American trait but here you are thinking dumbing down yourselves is somehow admirable.
Smoke if you want to but our free speech isn’t trumped by such stupidity.
“I wont bother to look up the numbers but more people die in auto accidents every year than from smoking.”
Fear and ignorance is no way to go through life. Maybe if you had looked up the numbers you might not have said that.
Smoking: 443,000 deaths.
Cars: 34,0000 deaths.
“Your support of behavior modification through taxing authority will come back to bite you some day.”
My comment in no way said that. Your defensive posture gave you that conclusion.
You’re right. Personally I like the idea of taxing condoms, and “the pill.” I mean, what is more destructive than sex - out of wedlock kids account for the majority of criminals and probably the majority of welfare cases. We need to tax sex.
Spending 23.6 % of your income on Cigarettes?
“Despite the high taxes in New York state, the study found that the percentage of people with incomes under $25,000 who smoked didn’t decline from 2003-2004 to 2009-2010.”
This proves one thing: You can’t fix stupid.
“ruining our health”
—
Well I see you’ve bought the whole package. Is smoking good for you? Of course not,but I just turned 80 and have seen many of my non-smoking friends buried. Health is often a roll of the dice.
Alcohol has done far more damage to my family than tobacco,yet it is not only allowed but encouraged.Alcohol ruined my mother’s life and she never drank. Second-hand alcoholism,I guess.
By the way,my non-smoking daughter calls smokers gathered outside in all sorts of weather to have a butt “Smoker bonding” and she gets a big kick out of it.
Don’t light up,but for heaven’s sake,lighten up.
.
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“Don’t light up,but for heaven’s sake,lighten up.”
You smokers were the ones that were all uptight and took my comments out of context. YOU lighten up.
I remember, back when most establishments allowed smoking, that there was often a sign "Cigar Smoking Prohibited" because of the stench associated with them.
It's a curious phenomenon, this hierarchy, and can probably be traced back to childhood wedgies, never being chosen for that pickup game of ball, things like that.
Another benefit of being a member of the self-constructed hierarchy is you get to call other adults whose little indulgences may differ from yours "stupid" and then accuse them of over-reacting when they take umbrage. It's the ultimate passive-aggressive rush.
Pitiful, really.
You are correct...........however, if you looked into how that asinine 443,000 was derived you would not be so quick to be spewing it.
You realize that many of those 34,000 lost in auto accidents were smokers and are also included in the 443,000.....
I am sure you also realize that 443,000 is a computer generated number with no basis in reality. It's commonly known as GIGO, aka SAMMEC.
As a good FReeper I would hope that you will curb your tone and refrain from personal insults against other FReepers with whom you disagree.
The difference is that I don’t go to work to smoke. And yes, cigars stink to many people which is why I don’t smoke at work or anywhere near a social scene where smelling bad would be a bad thing. Second, comparing cigars to cigarettes is like comparing a fine wine to soda pop. Third, cigar smokers rarely smoke much and not nearly the amount cigarette smokers do. Fourth, cigar smokers are not addicted; they smoke out of the pleasure of the cigar and not because they “can’t kick the habit.” Fifth, cigarette smokers have no manners when it comes to their habit; smoking near doorways, etc. You never see a cigar smoker huddled in the snow near a doorway smoking a cigar.
Sorry, but the two cultures are completely different.
“You realize that many of those 34,000 lost in auto accidents were smokers and are also included in the 443,000.....”
Dumbest statement you’ve made so far. No, they are NOT included. Where the Hell did you get that?
You speak to me like that and expect me to answer you?
I have been involved in this issue for well over 20 years - I have probably forgotten more about SAMMEC than you will ever know.
Until you learn some manners in how you address other posters, kindly do not respond to me.
I stand corrected.
But still say smokers are unfairly taxed.
There are plenty of folks here who would restrict others.
There are plenty of folks here who would restrict others.
"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."
~ Ayn Rand ~
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