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Is it really fair?
We by now are all aware that states have increased cigarette taxes. In some cases more than 100%. I know that this is the popular thing to do. I'd like to see them do the same with alcohol. [the kind ya drink]
Even though I smoke,I know smoking is a discusting habit.
I also am aware that no one has been killed by someone smoking and driving. I know a few people killed by drinking and driving. 
I know that this country tends to do what's popular at the time. Seldom looking at it's overall and long term effects. It just irriates me that states have extorted millions of dollars from tobacco companies under the pretense that smokers cost the state more in health costs. Then in many states they try or do use that money to help with thier general budgets instead of it's intended use. 
Your thoughts and opinions??
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| July 24, 2008, 09:45 |
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Re: Is it really fair?
Actually, there have been deaths from smoking and driving, that's why auto insurances add a little extra to premiums of smoking drivers.
The red hot falls off on a lap or floorboard, people trying to open a pack or find a lighter while driving, etc...all things that happen fairly often and cause accidents, some fatal.
Of course, trying to find a radio station can cause a horrible accident too, that's what the guy who rear ended me was doing.
Cell phones, eating in the car, applying make up and texting all are demons of really bad driving.
At one time, smoking was not only socially acceptable, it was cool and many got addicted, their children grew up in a smoking household and followed suit.
It is a ridiculous addiction and anything that leads us to a smoke free country I have to say I'm for it..but I do wonder about the economics of losing such a large industry.
We need to cover our asses from that angle.
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| July 24, 2008, 10:48 |
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Re: Is it really fair?
It would be really bad for those who make a living growing tobacco. Some have done it all of their lives and depend on the income to make ends meet. 
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| July 24, 2008, 11:38 |
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Re: Is it really fair?
But, there are still more people injured and killed by drunks. Shouldn't alcohol be taxed the same or is it off limits because of "prohibition"?
What about the states "health costs" from DUI, and just drunks in general. Many larger cities spend milions of dollars per year to house, cloth and feed alcoholics.
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| July 24, 2008, 13:22 |
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Re: Is it really fair?
SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Anyone caught smoking will be shot on sight.
My next door neighbor is a hypochondriac. She said she got mouth cancer from second hand chew.
Seriously though, I am 1000% against any further taxation of ANYTHING. New York has just raised the tax on a pack of cigarettes another $2.50 per pack. A carton of Marlboro at a local Rite Aid is $67.50. The same carton at the Reservation is $27.50, and you KNOW the Senecas are making money at that price. I cant wrap my head around why the wonderful State of New Pork is entitled to $40 per carton. Granted, I smoke. However, even if I didn't, I would find this to be ridiculous.
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| July 24, 2008, 13:43 |
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Re: Re: Is it really fair?
QUOTE (freensleazy @ July 24, 2008, 13:43)SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Anyone caught smoking will be shot on sight.
My next door neighbor is a hypochondriac. She said she got mouth cancer from second hand chew.
Seriously though, I am 1000% against any further taxation of ANYTHING. New York has just raised the tax on a pack of cigarettes another $2.50 per pack. A carton of Marlboro at a local Rite Aid is $67.50. The same carton at the Reservation is $27.50, and you KNOW the Senecas are making money at that price. I cant wrap my head around why the wonderful State of New Pork is entitled to $40 per carton. Granted, I smoke. However, even if I didn't, I would find this to be ridiculous.
I've seen at some "convenience" store that the Feds are concidering a 157% increase in cigarette taxes. I think it is that amount.
In South Dakota last year the state approved a cigarette tax increase. Since then, a carton that was about $26 is now $42 plus. I wonder if they figured out how much that $26 in taxes times 0 is. Most people I've talked to have found "other places" to buy them. Iowa raised their taxes and now are more than IL. Florida imposed smoking bans several years ago yet, no tax increase.
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| July 24, 2008, 13:50 |
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Re: Is it really fair?
No matter the issue surrounding smoking, there are far more dangerous air quality issues on any given street in any given town in America every day that no one wants to admit, and lots of people who never smoked a day in their lives are dying from lung cancer everyday because of those issues.
Smoking is just the latest craze in the cesspool of public nuisances. Just wait and see what happens when tobacco sales are nonexistent or so low that the taxes it creates have to be replaced elsewhere.
Case in point: Come to PA. We just had a school board refuse state tax dollars because the tax dollars came from slot machines. The school board members who voted to refuse the state tax dollars consider gambling immoral, even though it is perfectly legal. Yet, they still accept state tax dollars from smokers and drunks.
Now, the taxpayers of the school district have to make up $441,000 in their property taxes.
According to the behavior of this school board, there is nothing wrong with smoking or drinking. These five righteous people said so in a public vote. That makes the rest of the nonsmoking world dead wrong, I guess.
PA did just go smoke free, too.
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| July 24, 2008, 14:28 |
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Re: Re: Is it really fair?
QUOTE (Hobscotch @ July 24, 2008, 14:28)No matter the issue surrounding smoking, there are far more dangerous air quality issues on any given street in any given town in America every day that no one wants to admit, and lots of people who never smoked a day in their lives are dying from lung cancer everyday because of those issues.
Smoking is just the latest craze in the cesspool of public nuisances. Just wait and see what happens when tobacco sales are nonexistent or so low that the taxes it creates have to be replaced elsewhere.
Case in point: Come to PA. We just had a school board refuse state tax dollars because the tax dollars came from slot machines. The school board members who voted to refuse the state tax dollars consider gambling immoral, even though it is perfectly legal. Yet, they still accept state tax dollars from smokers and drunks.
Now, the taxpayers of the school district have to make up $441,000 in their property taxes.
According to the behavior of this school board, there is nothing wrong with smoking or drinking. These five righteous people said so in a public vote. That makes the rest of the nonsmoking world dead wrong, I guess.
PA did just go smoke free, too.
You should have written an editorial letter to the local paper about that one. I agree with you 100%! 
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| July 24, 2008, 15:07 |
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Re: Is it really fair?
Going  for just a sec..
I just love reading editorials and letters to the editor!
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| July 24, 2008, 15:12 |
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Re: Is it really fair?
These idiots set some very dangerous precedents, I do believe. But, given the public outcry, I suspect their political careers are pretty much over.
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| July 24, 2008, 15:20 |
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Re: Re: Is it really fair?
QUOTE (Hobscotch @ July 24, 2008, 15:20)These idiots set some very dangerous precedents, I do believe. But, given the public outcry, I suspect their political careers are pretty much over.
You've highlighted the hipocrosy I was trying to point out and thank you for that. I was trying to make the point that DUI and regular drunkeness and alcoholism has more effect than anyone seems to be ready to admit. YET, there's billions spent per year to treat, take care of and attempt to rehabilitate alcoholics. Of course where most legislators are pretty much drunks I don't see anything done about it in my lifetime.
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| July 24, 2008, 15:43 |
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Re: Re: Is it really fair?
PA did just go smoke free, too.
Say it isnt so! That was one thing I enjoyed about coming to your area was that you could smoke in restaurants and bars! Especially at the Texas Roadhouse on Lincoln Highway!
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| July 24, 2008, 16:01 |
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Re: Is it really fair?
Minnesota has been smoke free for a while now...but we found a loophole...an establishment can build an outdoor shelter for smokers...where a customer can bring their meals or beverages out, for a smoke. no employee is allowed to serve them in this shelter....
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| July 24, 2008, 16:21 |
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