Puffing away Dollars: The New Tobacco Tax
An increase of 62 cents per pack of cigarettes took effect yesterday. AccountingWEB estimates that about 20% of Americans over the age of 12 will be affected by the increase and the authors, plus bloggers from a number of ideological perspectives have criticized the increase as being too harsh on the working poor, a violation of the "no new taxes on Americans earning less than $250,000" pledge and that the tax is another example of a "nanny state" mentality. Supporters argue that the $10 to $15 billion in revenues raised from the tax increase will help fund expand the State Childrens Health Insurance Plan by providing dental and mental health coverage.
I am of mixed views on this one. Tobacco growers in Kentucky, North Carolina and elsewhere take yet another hit to their livelihood and both the charges of breaking campaign tax promises and "nanny state" behavior ring somewhat true. Conversely, tobacco taxes, like lotteries, are comparably more voluntary than most taxes and like most nonsmokers, I am no fan of secondhand smoke.
posted by Dan Meyer at 11:56 AM
1 Comments:
$.62 per pack, try $24 dollars per pound, Congress just got into dealing drugs in the name of children's health. That is an icrease from $1.09 per pound, about 2250% increase for roll your own smokers and other forms of tobacco. A pound bag went from $24 to $68 where I live. I have been smoking since I was 17, now 59, and not proud of it. Tried their gums-patches-medications, no luck in quitting for any length of time. I am on a small fixed income, to bad, well at least they could have been fair and covered all sins with a high tax, but then they would be taxing themselves, if you know what I mean. A socialist bucnh up there in congress, and getting worse, It is time for a strong third party that is fair and looks out for America and all Americans alike, it is time to go back to majority rules, with no one left out whatever their race, social standing. Just be fair to all. Freedom, what is it, Give the states back their rights to make their own laws, like it was supposed to be, stop the supreme court from overruling the majority of voters. As Americans we have no one to blame but ourselves. You don't like something let Congrss know. If they don't do their job for American good, get them out and put in a new person. Put a stop to the tag on admendments that are rushed through. It is our job to control that bunch of idiots
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