States Brace for Cigarette Backlash/

Yahoo News ^ | 13 July 2002 | DAVID CRARY

[JustSayNoNWO]

" Tom Ryan, a spokesman for Philip Morris USA, said the tobacco company supports a crackdown on tax evasion. "

As soon as the Gov't saw that tobacco companies could be sued by the states.....and WIN huge settlements, this did nothing but open the eyes wider of the politicians looking for an easy way out of fiscal responsibilty vs more spending and revenue. Tobacco companies are easy to pick on and drum up support from the masses(I mean really, does anyone smoke and not know themselves it is not good for them?).

To SINGLE OUT and raise taxes on this legal product does nothing but open the door for an underground network for suppliers meeting the need........

When the "underground" shows up selling a cheaper product, who is NOT going to buy them? When the politicians attack and raise taxes on the "fat" industry(fast food joints), I personally will be glad to buy a big mac from someone selling it cheaper....same premise.......

To make thousands of law abiding citizens into criminals overnight by passing such tax laws...is an injustice to say the least. If those buying "smokes" finds a cheaper product by any means necessary, more power to them.....

[Reactionary]

Thanks. I'll be sure to pass that URL around to everyone who wants to get back at the smoking Nazis.

[dutchess]

oops, meant Rush, not Rusy... apologies

[Libertarian_4_eva]

Tom Ryan, a spokesman for Philip Morris USA, said the tobacco company supports a crackdown on tax evasion. "The people really hurt by all this are the retailers who are doing business legitimately." he said. "Jobs are on the line."

And the tobacco companies wonder why we don't support them? They are contemptible.

Hey look man what exactly do you expect them to say? They have already been drained of billions of dollars. Hey everyone buy smokes online? I don't think so. I am pretty shure the tobacco companies are laughing their butt off about this stuff.

[Centurion2000]

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms estimates state and federal authorities lose more than $1.5 billion annually in evaded cigarette taxes

Too bad ... couldn't happen to a nice bunch of scumbags

[raygun]

All your cigarettes are belong to us.

[Woodstock]

Maryland raised their tax $1.00 this year. Then they doubled the Susquehanna Bridge toll between Maryland & Delaware from $2.00 to $4.00 to keep us Marylanders from wondering into DE where cigarettes are not taxed so high. Are the tolls going to increase with every cigarette tax hike to keep Marylanders within their state boundaries?
Living in Maryland - Buying in Delaware

[Gabz]

Living in Maryland - Buying in Delaware

There are lots of ways of getting into Delaware without paying those huge toll increases!!!

Heck - I just realized I've got to drive to Maryland tomorrow because I didn't stop and get beer today and that can't bee bought in Delaware on Sunday!!!

[Woodstock]

I JUST learned that the barcode sticker is only $4.00 for the entire year AND I can drive through the correct toll booth to purchase one! WOW. $4.00 for the whole year or $4.00 each time over the bridge....duhhhh. I'm buying 5 stickes next time to give as gifts to friends and family! And I live on the DE side of the bridge!

[dutchess]

Move to Ohio. A few muddy lakes...but the taxes aren't near as bad...although it's starting...sigh...time to find a place to become our own independent place...!!!!!

[Centurion2000]

Just thought I'd share this one.

I live in Texas where a pack of Marlboros costs about 3.50 a pack and that's WAY too high for me.

I started smoking this other brand called Noble that is sold at Cheaper Cigarettes. They taste better than a Marlboro light. The best part 18.99 a carton with the state taxes even thrown in and you can get a cigratte rolling machine and the tobacco and ring the price down to 9.50 / carton + 30 minutes of your time.

Try them out; at the very least you will pay less for a pack once, and you might even change brands. I did.

[Gabz]

And I live on the DE side of the bridge!

!!!!LOL!!

I just realized I misread your earlier post - I keep forgetting about all that part of Maryland on the leftern shore!!!

Glad you solved your problem - but I still have to drive to Maryland tomorrow to buy beer.

[Woodstock]

I'll wave when I see you!

[Woodstock]

you can get a cigratte rolling machine and the tobacco

LOL.. Are you sure those are for tobacco? That's what my parents said theirs was for. Actually, not a bad idea. Then I can get some apple pipe tobacco. Love that stuff!

[Gabz]

LOL!!!

Unfortunately I belive you are a little too far to the north of me - oh, well. It's the thought that counts.

I'll be thinking of you as I cross the state line.

[patton]

I am struck with a burning desire to park my boat under the bridge, and open an "offshore" convenience store - just sell beer and cigs from VA.

[InvisibleChurch]

i wonder when the gummint will start taxing internet sites heavily?...after all, only really rich people can afford internet shopping

[Gabz]

We make our own cigarettes, run us about $6.50 a carton.

We've got a fairly heavy duty "stuffing" machine, but you can pick up one for about 5 bucks at the local tobacco shop. Buglar makes a small handheld one. Then you buy the tubes with the filters already attached and you can put in whatever tobacco you want.

[Gabz]

Depends upon what bridge you're talking about friend.

My cigarette problem has already been solved by making my own. And my beer problem will be solved as soon as I sell my house because then we're moving to Virginia.

[patton]

YES! A convert! My mission here is done.

Welcome to the last bastion of freedom on the east coast.