If you smoke, this post won't be news because you've noticed the price of cigarettes jump in the past two weeks. Tobacco companies are getting ready for the increased federal tobacco tax by raising their own prices. (Can someone explain how tobacco companies raising the price of a pack 80 cents will help consumers "adjust," as the companies have put it? It just seems a way to eke more profit.)
On Wednesday, the federal tax will go from 39 cents per pack to $1.01. All the extra tax money is supposed to help fund the State Children's Health Insurance Plan, or SCHIP. I've written about the new excise tax and SCHIP before and how it relates to cigars. On Wednesday the tax on individual cigars goes up as well, by 40 cents. It's steep but not as bad as the original version of the SCHIP law, which called for an outrageous $10 tax per cigar. Now, that will be the tax on a box of cigars rather than an individual cigar. That hasn't stopped the most popular cigar Web site from selling off inventory in what it's calling "SCHIP Busters."
The biggest losers in the new excise tax are the makers of roll-your-own tobacco.
Loose-leaf tobacco is a more fragmented industry with smaller producers than the
monopolized cigarette industry. There are even a couple of family businesses still around, but most likely not for long. Wednesday happens to be April 1 and the
new excise tax on roll-your-own tobacco looks an
April Fool's joke but it isn't. The tax on RYO tobacco goes from $1.10 per
pound to $24.78 per pound. That's more than 2,100 percent! Tuesday, a sack of RYO tobacco will cost $15; Wednesday it will be $40.
If there's a silver lining it's that the "loose-leaf" definition doesn't affect pipe smokers. Loose-leaf pipe tobacco increase more than 150
percent but nothing like RYO tobacco. The new tax goes up on it $1.75
to $2.83 per pound.
All of the above have created the
tobacco panic of 2009 as smokers stock up. Others are promising the new taxes will make them
quit.
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I hate it when the government raises taxes on Cigars and cigarette. Ultimately we need to pay the extra amount because the cigar companies will pass on the increased amount to us. I love Cuban cigars and even after the increase in price will have it. But I hate to pay more.
http://www.gocubans.com
One day I was standing out side of a hospital{about a mile away}in their smoking zone. A non smoker was standing pretty close to me waving her hands in front of her face insinuating that my smoke was offensive.I really didn`t give a sh**,but any way,when I went to light up another cig.,there was an explosion behind me.Guess what? The fat ass women left a fart and the flame from my lighter caught hold of her exploding gas and caught her ass on fire.She suffered with third degree burns.So the moral of my story is NON SMOKERS ,STAY THE HELL OUT OF SMOKING ZONES,FOR THEY MAY BE HAZZARDOUS TO YOUR ASS.
I so glad the Dems are in power. Soon there will no aspect of life that isn't controlled by the government. I'm also greatfull for the liberal news networks to tell me how to think. Oh and livinloger... try the non smoking section genius.
The Most Popular Personal Watercraft- Jet SkiBy the way I'm a thin, healthy, conciencious smoker...I smoke outside, and in a public area I even stay away from non-smokers. And I still see them coughing and waving their hand in front of their faces from ten feet away. Sometimes they even go out or their way to walk by me through my smoke to make their point
in a poll taken on www.affluence.org , most people voted against the tax. it just doesnt make sense to attack one group of people with higher taxes because of an unhealthy habit. that is like doubling the taxes on sugar or cookies, obesity is a much larger problem than smoking. another example is the government taxing 90+% of AIG bonuses- this is getting out of hand.
I forgot to add that I live in the mountains, own a chevy astro van and probably only drive about 30 to 40 miles per week (at most). I try do my part to keep down the carcinogens going into the atmosphnere.
I'm tired of hearing about second hand smoke. What about second hand car exhaust? People actually use exhaust fumes to commit suicide. I've never heard of someone dying immediately from being in a closed room with cigarette smoke! What kind of health issues do the carcinogins (sorry if I didn't spell it right), from car exhaust cause. Does anybody know? Why doesn't the government start taxing people on their weekly or daily mileage? They'd be able to pay for everybody's health care then. Of course driving a gasoline or diesel vehicle is a choice. People don't have to drive, they can bike or walk or run or crawl....., it's not a necessity, the government's not shoving a car under your ass.
By the way I'm a thin, healthy, conciencious smoker...I smoke outside, and in a public area I even stay away from non-smokers. And I still see them coughing and waving their hand in front of their faces from ten feet away. Sometimes they even go out or their way to walk by me through my smoke to make their point.
So I don't think my few cigarettes a day is the issue of this tax. I think it was just the popular way since smokers are a minority. Oh, and just for fun, I went online on 3/31 and purchased 21 lbs of tobacco with the tubes so I will be supplied for a couple of years. And I won't be paying any $24+ in additional taxes.
@TH-
First things first - I don't smoke. My mind is quite agile, thank you. I simply have a problem with people repeating the same crap over and over again with no basis in fact.
You shoot down the study I use as a reference--where is your study? Where are your facts? Show me the numbers which indicate smokers are a bigger strain on the health care system. You're repeating the same drivel that you hear everyone else spout.
You say my case is weak, but all you're doing is telling me I'm wrong. What's weaker than that? Show me that you're right!
You denigrate my source because it takes into account the population of "one country"? How big of a sample size do you want? Should the Dutch government be expected to fund a worldwide study with Dutch taxpayer dollars?
Finally, I have a degree in mechanical engineering. Do not insult my mathematical ability. It will not end well for you. If you bothered to do the math based on actual life expectancy numbers for smokers and non-smokers, the lifetime health care costs AND the annual health care costs are more for thin, healthy people than smokers.
You're welcome to prove me wrong; I am more than willing to listen to evidence--not insults.
I am not trying to come down on smokers, but I need to make 2 points. First, theapparentasshat says to @livinlongerthanyou: YOU are the asshat in this situation. you should learn to ACCEPT other people for who they are and what they do, not sit there and try to spite them; why dont you move to one of the cities or states that started bans on smoking in public places.
Not everybody has the ability to move wherever they want. I would move to CA or NY if I had a chance, but I can't afford to. Also, what about the children who come into restaurants or other public places like the park. Should they have to move to? I don't really care about smoking, but you should smoke in your own place and keep in mind the effects of second-hand smoke.
Second, I think the government should be able to tax everything except for necessities. Tobacco is NOT a necessity. You choose to smoke. Oh yea, I think they should legalize weed and tax that too. Milk, bread, shelter, etc are necessities. It would be fine if citizens protested an increased tax on a necessity. Remember you have a right to smoke, but you do not have to. Just like when obese people choose to overeat. Disregarding a medical condition, fat people are choosing to overeat. The government is not stuffing food down you throat.
what this tax does is put farmers and others out of work if you can't afford them or steal them .The tax should come from Ceo and congress because they make more than the working class. History needs to repeat itself this is a unfair tax, next there will be a shit tax for people who eat more than two times a day
Orion, I completely agree.
I live my life by this motto...
Don't drink, don't smoke, eat healthy...die anyway!
I'm an ex-smoker from the UK who was driven to quit by the high prices of smokes caused by our disgrace of a government.
A packet of 20 cigarettes costs about �6 now which is about $9?? However, violent alcoholics are allowed to run riot on the streets all year round on alcohol that they can buy for less than the cost of mineral water.
Every one I know buys their cigarettes from people who import them from Europe at a fraction of the price. Its illegal but the government enjoys picking fights it can't possibly win.
It is easy. Dirt simple, legal.
This subject is starting to fascinate me. But it is a personal thing. Its legal so no court fees and jail time.
- I am starting to research all the aspects
What I am getting so far is all their excessive taxes and tarriffs do is get the Tobacco companies to buy more foreign tobacco, people want it cheap, so then the
black market grows, regulation goes down and the product suffers. Politicans want more money, Consumers want it cheaper, growers want less hastles. But the US is not there yet.
Smoking is a working class habit, and my presonal predjustice/oversimplification: for alot of good people and the one's wanting legislation are mostly desk jockies and do-gooder nonsmokers.
Right now,
I am amazed that you smokers are going to stand for this....Million Smoker March...
Im a smoker. Do my kids now get free and or reduced health insurance? If I quit and start running, I'll be at my docs all the time running up my health insurance. Are I might even consider going back to school, of course on a government loan which I'll never pay back cause I'll kick the bucket before I get done paying it back. Jesus people, why'd ya vote these people in??
People-- most people-- aren't going to do anything illegal yet. It's not worth it because while the tax is high, it's not as high as court fees and jail time. Unless the trick you're talking about watchthecircus is extremely easy, the majority of smokers are going to grin and bear it.
It toke me one hour of reading and watching articles on the internet (along with my experience of being LOCKED up with Smokers) to figure out how smokers are going to legally get around 95% of the Federal tax. Well, at least the unlazy ones. (and these are the simple methods), but since Information just helps them pass more laws to collect money for doing-nothing, I am not going to type out the specifics.
Remember reading about the Boston Tea Party, Prohabition in the 1930s, even if there is political will to follow up on this law (I predict there will not be. It will not work in the end. Its what politicans do best - create hassles from nothing.
Im a smoker. Do my kids now get free and or reduced health insurance? If I quit and start running, I'll be at my docs all the time running up my health insurance. Are I might even consider going back to school, of course on a government loan which I'll never pay back cause I'll kick the bucket before I get done paying it back. Jesus people, why'd ya vote these people in?
Smokers: remember all those Insurance Companies getting multi-million dollar taxpayer funded bonuses after their businesses failed? (AIG.) Well this tax is for INSURANCE, yes, politicans like it and call it 'SEXY', a 'SIN' tax. But it is for Insurance Companies, children's health insurance. Remember who you* are paying: tax collectors, federal agents, and insurance companies.
*technically, the shops are paying it on Inventory, with a big IOU to be paid to Fed in 90 days/or less, then passing the cost on to you
It is not the role of the government or the government's right as a body to increase taxes to force people to quit smoking. I am a 27 year old male and have been a cigarette smoker for about 6 years now. I am in perfect health. I have regular checkups and also have private insurance which I pay for. If the government is so concerned with the costs associated with healthcare maybe they should drop the idea of universal healthcare. Given the obesity rate in the United States along with the problems associated with moving to a system based on preventative medicine: tax season is coming. I vote for less government and less taxes everytime I vote. I work hard and I have earned every $ I have made - let me keep it in my wallet.
I remember the news when Canada raised its tax, and it was so big. Everyone was smuggling cigarettes from the US. Tax revenue actually went down in Canada. Speed boats where crossing on the Great lakes on all dark hours of the night. The day Canada changed the law where it costs one cent/pack less than the United States, all that boat traffic disappeared.
While this of course won't affect the Southern and middle states as much. Watch the black Market go into hyperdrive. Guess Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is going to have job security.
Eric Cartman to Rob Reiner
"Wow, it's like, people get just a little bit of joy out of smoking cigarettes, and you get to take that away from them! You're so awesome!"
I personally hate cigarettes. If it was left up to me, I would tax them $5.00 a pack. I would also ban smoking in any public place, and make it a crime for a parent to smoke in a car with children.
@livinlongerthanyou: YOU are the asshat in this situation. you should learn to ACCEPT other people for who they are and what they do, not sit there and try to spite them; trust me, i started smoking in the 6th grade, and i have the will power to start and stop as i please, which i find a gift, but i would start smoking a pack a day if i could help rid any restaurant of people like you. why dont you move to one of the cities or states that started bans on smoking in public places, such as Illinois, and i believe other such states as New York, that way you dont have to us Asshats.
feel free to email me so i can get some entertainment from stupid shits like you throughout the day.
regards,
Steve Kennerk
personally, I find it rather satisfying. How many times have I been in a resturant, and some asshat (along with their friends) light up, and ruin my meal, not to mention cause myself and my woman flee the establishment, as we both despise smoking. Now I can laugh in your lame faces, while I think about how mush you are paying....to kill your selves.
First, they came for the smokers.
second, they came for the fatties.
third, they came for the homeless.
fourth, they came for the retarded.
then, they came for the Jews.
After that.........
Remind you of something?
One thing that no seems to think about are the tobacco company employees. I'm a web developer at a small RYO company and with the increase in taxes due to SCHIP our department was cut in half. The other half are out looking for work again like a large chunk of the rest of the country. It's not just the consumers who are going to pay for this, it's also the employees who need the job to pay bills.
Since nobody as yet has commented, .39 to 1.01 is not a 102% increase. Its a 160% increase. Editorial error,I guess!
"New 102% Increase in Tobacco Tax To Take Effect Wednesday ...On Wednesday, the federal tax will go from 39 cents per pack to $1.01."
Why should only smokers be burdened with healthcare for children? Those who pass these laws seem very selfish - if they don't smoke themselves. How convenient of them- make others pay up.
How about taxing everyone evenly? It's for the children after all!
Every non smoker should be made to kick in matching funds to an average smoker. If an average smoker contributes $1000.00 per year in tobacco taxes, and these taxes are "for the children" as Jocelyn Elders used to say, send a matching tax bill to non smokers.
I am quitting because I can no longer afford to smoke.
Switched to Libertarian after Obama's intentions became clear.
there is a saying that democracy is "two foxes and a chicken deciding what's for supper". We should change that to "Democrats and Republicans deciding to tax smokers". They're aided by politically correct dweebs, of course.
I agree with the idea to vote for third party candidates from now on. Anything will be better than what we have now.
the bill to tax AIG bonuses is dead. But the bill to tax smokers goes full steam ahead. Meanwhile, ice cream is not taxed. That gives a good idea of how this country works.
I can't wait for this country to break apart. Maybe then we can stop being the sheep that get continually fleeced. And no, I'm not a smoker... I just have the old-fashioned idea that there should be some justice somewhere, and so I'll hereon vote for *any* third party rather than the greedy rats who run the country now.
This is great news!!! However, there's more to do. I think SUV's should be heavily taxed too. They get less gas mileage and produce more emissions than the smaller cars. They have less safety mandates then cars so are more fatal in crashes. Those emissions cause health problems for everyone also. If they started taxing the soccer moms say $2000-3000 per vehicle and put that money towards electric and hybrid research, tooling and distribution we'd all be healthier. Finally, alcohol should be heavily taxed too. Drunk drivers kill many each year and health costs of alcoholics is a drain on the rest of us. I think they should tax like $1-2 per bottle or glass of beer and maybe 100% tax on liquor. They could take that money and fix some problem. Finally, fat people should be taxed. I think for every pound over your government accepted weight should cost you like $1 per pound added per doctor visit. This would help doctors offset malpractice insurance.
Now if anyone gives be flack about smoking, I'll tell them that every pack sends money to children's health care. Want me to quit? What about the children???
" If no one smoked, the government would have more money."
???? someone must be under the impression the government would save it for a rainy day .... why not blame smokers for this recession and the deficit...while your at it...why not blame em for your bad spelling and extremely FATHEAD
as of tomorrow i will quit smoking. not because the government tells me its bad but because i think i need to for my own sake. but......i give it a year if every smoker quits , then the government will be crying we're not getting enough taxes. dont believe me? look what happened when gas went to 4$ a gallon. people started driving smarter and saved on gas and taxes. the government started crying we arent collecting enough taxes for the roads and highways.
Where did this trend of taking away individual liberties come from? Using the superstructure to force some people to do what other people believe is good for them is fascism. I heard Mussolini used to make people play basketball. When are we going to have a new fascist law that forces fat people to play basketball?
RYO wow 27 dollars.
I wonder if people will start growing their own.
I don't like RYO tax for the mere fact you smoke less. This is how I quit.
One of the great things about this is when all the people either die or quit there will be no more money for the greedy bastards.
The link that Zack poseted made me angry. It isn't likw the smokers are taking away money from health care, which is what that website is implying. I would just rather not pay for anybody's medical but my own...f the kids
am i still allowed to complain about taxes? or will my freedom of speech also be taxed in the next bill that just flies through with approval?
I would rather they legalize the other famous plant that generates *more* money than tobacco. Want to save and protect the children? Give them healthier options. In this game someone always gets fucked to save somebody else. Consumers of tobacco products are the easiest targets.
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