States Brace for Cigarette Backlash

AP via TBO ^ | 7/13/02 | DAVID CRARY

[cgbg]

Many, many conservatives both in the legislature and in the general population vote to regulate or tax the vile stuff

And they are being very very very shortsighted:

(1) First they go after cigarettes, then fattening foods, then your favorite vice or hobby next.

(2) Some folks refuse to vote for Republicans until this anti-cigarette crusade stops (and I don't even use the product--it is the principle of the thing!)

(3) The unintended consequences (remember prohibition?--Al Capone?)

(4) And, I am grimacing as I say this, but this is an incredibly regressive tax...

[StriperSniper]

Many, many conservatives both in the legislature and in the general population vote to regulate or tax the vile stuff.

I consider THEM to be vile stuff!

[Radix]

When I was in The Army I (and spouse) used to get a ration card for 8 cartons each month. A carton cost us $2.10! I have never smoked in my life, and after a year or so I realized the economic profit which was possible. I would sell them for $15.00 in order to help pay for my rent. The Germans must have paying a lot of money for cigarettes because they certainly liked that arrangement.
I had no idea what cigarettes cost in the USA. However, I did know that the very large portion of the price was for taxes. Government was making more money off cigarettes than the tobacco companies. That is crazy. The most outrageous fact is IMHO that The Government is suing the tobacco companies for selling a legal product which the Gov`t was making more money for. Go figure. Well they are killing the goose that laid golden eggs for them.
Anyhow, in hindsight, I would not do it again. I think that smoking is just a stupid habit, and it is bad for you.

[toddst]

Bet you a nickle that once the mechanism is in place for identity and enforcement actions, the very next commodity concentrated on will be ammunition and reloading supplies. It will be done quietly and without much if any coverage in the press.

Of course "the press"covers what their liberal masters direct. They, of course, are rabidly anti-gun. Can they resist writing about such a "just" movement as putting the squeeze on gun-owners? I think not. Like a moth to a flame. Ha!

[meanspirit77]

Bravo! Good news, I don't smoke but applaud any body that does, and refuses to pay the tax. To see politicians in distress as citizens stand in defiance against them, is joy beyond description.

[Jaidyn]

Add to that the cost of investigating smuggling and evasion, plus the prosecution costs - it may be a net loss.
You're right but they will just raise taxes even more. They could care less how much they hurt the consumer so long as they get what they want. They think it makes them look like they are doing something. The good congressman will work his/her buns off to eliminate taxes and prove that less taxes is more money in the coffers. They will be the ones actually doing something. This has got to stop because there is no end in sight. The liberals will really turn us into a two class society abetted by feeble republicans.

[Crusader21stCentury]

What will hurt them more is registering as an independent or un-affiliated voter.

[Gabz]

Except for the smoking Jihad here, a lot of conservatives regard smoking as an ugly, dirty, sinking, disgusting habit and efforts to reduce it deserve praise rather than ridicule.

Except for the anti-smoker Jihad here, most conservatives regard anti-smokerism as an ugly, dirty, stinking, disgusting habits and efforts to reduce it deserve praise rather than ridcule.

Many, many conservatives both in the legislature and in the general population vote to regulate or tax the vile stuff.

Many, many conservatives both in the legislature and in the general population vote to get excessive government out of everyone's lives - and are seeking ways to either eliminate or tax the vileness of the brainwashing camps anti-smokers frequent.

A few folks, more knowledgable on this subject than you are apparently have coined a term that suits anti-smokerism and it's adherents: WARTs - Whiney Anal Retentive Tyrants.

[Bernard Marx]

How much are tobacco seeds, and where can I get some?

You might try Armand Gore. I understand he has a lot of experience with growing and harvesting the stuff. I doubt he'll be home in Tennessee much to tend his fields the next couple of years.

[SheLion]

I didn't get pinged for this, Gabz. Didn't know it was already a thread.

I just re-did it tonight.

[metesky]

WARTs - Whiney Anal Retentive Tyrants

;O)

[Alas Babylon!]

How much are tobacco seeds, and where can I get some?

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