Single Largest Cigarette Tax Hike Goes Into Effect Wednesday

[*XxDADxX*]

Originally Posted by Tempus

It's always time to quit. I kicked it a decade ago and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

But just wait till most everyone quits and the socialist funding for medical dries up, what do you think the next target is for taxing? Maybe beer, liquor, sugared drinks He will probably legalize POT and tax the shit out of that.

[andyofne]

Originally Posted by *XxDADxX*

But just wait till most everyone quits and the socialist funding for medical dries up, what do you think the next target is for taxing? Maybe beer, liquor, sugared drinks He will probably legalize POT and tax the shit out of that.

First, everyone isn't going to quit smoking during the Obama administration's term of office.

Second, if they legalized and taxed marijuana it would be too expensive for the average jobless pothead to afford so they would be forced to continue the illegal growing and importing of the drug.

Third, if EVERYONE quit smoking today there would supposedly be a long term decrease in health care costs related to smoking related health problems.

[ALLT4]

Then why not an outright ban on smokes instead of taxing the industry to death. Something just seems wrong with this, the tobacco industry seems kinds of large without looking at numbers to me. What about all the jobs that will be lost? It almost seems on par with the auto debacle to me. I just see some unforseen reprecussions. Dems never look at the long term though, it's always the here and now.

[andyofne]

Originally Posted by ALLT4

Then why not an outright ban on smokes instead of taxing the industry to death. Something just seems wrong with this, the tobacco industry seems kinds of large without looking at numbers to me. What about all the jobs that will be lost? It almost seems on par with the auto debacle to me. I just see some unforseen reprecussions. Dems never look at the long term though, it's always the here and now.

Outright ban on smoking will mean no tax revenue AND they will then have to spend billions trying to fight smoking the way they now fight the war on drugs.

Remember when they tried to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol? How well did that work out?

It pretty much has to be regulated and taxed.

[*XxDADxX*]

Originally Posted by ALLT4

Then why not an outright ban on smokes instead of taxing the industry to death. Something just seems wrong with this, the tobacco industry seems kinds of large without looking at numbers to me. What about all the jobs that will be lost? It almost seems on par with the auto debacle to me. I just see some unforseen reprecussions. Dems never look at the long term though, it's always the here and now.

How True