$2 Federal Cigarette Tax Hike Sought

washingtonpost ^

[chance33_98]

$2 Federal Cigarette Tax Hike Sought 

Increase Could Cut Use And Save Lives, Health Commission Tells Bush

By Ceci Connolly Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, February 13, 2003; Page A29

A federal health commission on smoking is recommending that the Bush administration raise the federal tax on cigarettes from 39 cents to $2.39 a pack, arguing that the huge increase could prevent 3 million premature deaths and help 5 million Americans quit smoking within a year.

At least half of the $28 billion expected to be generated by the tax increase would be invested in anti-tobacco efforts such as a national quit line, a major advertising campaign and insurance coverage for federal workers seeking treatment.

[qam1]

Of the 50 million smokers today, researchers project between 15 million and 25 million will die prematurely;

HUH????? 25 million out of 50 million will die prematurely, So that's half

Well duh!!!

Half of all people live less than the average so half the people will die prematurely anyhow so where is the savings?

[qam1]

"I hope Bush has enough sense not to."

I hope so too. Reagan signed one. So did W's father.

Me too. Reagan and Bush #1 had hostile democratic congresses and at the time cigarette taxes were cheap. Today we have Republicans in full control. Because we been let down before by other traitorous Republicans (i.e ^%#*& Pataki) I can't say it will never happen but I think this report is just wishful thinking on the part of the Liberal Press.

I think this will be DOA

[Leisler]

For the children, natch.

[Leisler]

Me too! :)

[Godebert]

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

Here in Virginia I pay $20.99 for a carton of premium brand smokes at the 7-11 store. We have the lowest tobacco tax in the country.

[varon]

........the tax increase would be invested in anti-tobacco efforts such as a national quit line, a major advertising campaign and insurance coverage for federal workers seeking treatment.(my emphasis)

Here we go again with the federal workers being a privileged class. Why should all smokers be taxed and only federal workers receive insurance coverage paid for by those taxes?

[AndyJackson]

I don't smoke, but the secondary fallout from this is going to be another $28 Billion to hire more feral gummint bureaucrats. No matter how much you try to get the nanny state out of our lives, you cannot get these liberal weasels off of these commissions and out of our hair.