$2 Federal Cigarette Tax Hike Sought

washingtonpost ^

[Cyclops08]

There was a time when Canada raised cigarette taxes to inhuman levels. What happened was a black market arose that defeated the purpose of the tax. Canada rescinded the tax.

If people are really so concerned about tobacco related deaths, then OUTLAW tobacco. this is just raising revenue on the backs of addicted people.

Either outlaw tobacco, or leave it be.

[Woodman]

So what are they going to do with the other half?

[Mark]

We have already had our first murder over a truck full of cigarettes in New York that had an estimated value of 1 million dollars.

Could that be called Bloomberg's "Collateral Damage"?

[Dan from Michigan]

Health Fascists at it again.

If ciggies are so bad, then ban them(constitutional way - state level). Else, these jerks need to shut the hell up.

[Just another Joe]

It'll happen more.
The return is just too great for the risk incurred.
And it doesn't matter whether it's for personal profit or to "fund terrorism" the state, and now possibly federal, governments are setting the stage for it.

[lodwick]

Dammit - you idiots. Stoppit.

[wilmington2]

Many states and cities in additon to collecting their extortion under the so-called tobacco settlement have recenty raised cigarette taxes about a dollar or two so a fed. tax of an additional $2 ought to kill off the legal purchase of cigarettes and encourage illegal shipments from abroad. It shows what a rotten thing govt has become as it raises taxes solely from those it turns into objects of hate: such as smokers and the rich.

[Happygal]

How much does a pack of smokes cost in the US these days?

[Gabz]

Outlaw the stuff and the bureaucrat jobs it creates - saves billions!!!!!!!

[Pit1]

>>So what are they going to do with the other half?<<

Woodman, that is exactly what I was thinking.

[Just another Joe]

Depends on where you buy them.
In New York City they are $7.50.
About the cheapest is probably $3.15 ro $3.25.

[Dan from Michigan]

Last I saw, it was about $5 for a pack of Malboros in Michigan.

[Happygal]

That's for a pack of 20 right?

[Just another Joe]

Yep.

[Happygal]

Oh boy! You guys are catching up on us.

With the relative parity between the US dollar and the Euro it's easier to compare these days.

It cost just under €6 for a pack of smokes in Ireland. Seems in parts of the US it's the same. And our government is AGAIN looking to put €2 on the smokes.

[ezo4]

thanks! :-)

[Gabz]

when I went to get gas this after noon (at nearly 1.60 a gallon) Dorals were $2.40 a pack and Newports were $2.80.

[Great Dane]

Here we go again.

[Happygal]

It costs me nearly 80 cents (that Euro cent, but it's pretty much on parity) for a LITRE of petrol for my car.

[Great Dane]

(Fera le dernier Français avec les balles, s'il vous plaît tourner hors la lumière.)

Have no idea what it says, but I am impressed. :-}