Seventy cents! That's how much one state lawmaker is hoping to increase the price of a pack of cigarettes. If State Representative Harold Ritchie has his way, smokers would have to pay $1.06 per pack in taxes. That does not include the federal tax. Cigars, smoking, and smokeless tobacco prices will also increase anywhere between four to sixteen percent. Ritchie says the proposed tax increase would provide the state with an extra 178 million dollars a year, and all the money would go towards the state's healthcare programs. What do you think about a 70 cents hike in the cigarette tax? Is it fair to smokers?
Why not; I say go ahead, the state needs to money so our politicians can spend more and more.
Posted by: LA MAN | March 31, 2011 at 06:36 AM
It sounds like a good idea but I really doubt the money will stay in the Health Care programs. When the States sued the Tobacco companies where did all that money go. One more thing if I stop going to the stores who sell that fake marijuana where am I suppose to buy Gas. 2nd thing I still see lots of under aged people smoking DUH!. If you want to use a sale tax as a form of prohibition then go up one or two dollars.
Posted by: whome | March 31, 2011 at 06:40 AM
it doesnt matter how much they raise the price, people will always buy them, and i would like to know they are always going up in prices on food, gas, cigarettes, but i never hear them raise the price on alcohol, why is that, i think that should be raised just as well as everything else
Posted by: tammy | March 31, 2011 at 06:56 AM
Looks like in the near future it will be more advantageous to grow tobacco instead of marijuana in the weed patches. Just keep taxing until most quit smoking. We can hardly afford the medical bills now so anything to help support health care thru taxes on products that are major causes of poor health has got to be good. So, what's next on the tax agenda?
Posted by: jock martin | March 31, 2011 at 06:59 AM
Here we go again! OBESITY and NOT smoking is the LEADING HEALTH PROBLEM in the USA!!!
Want to tax something? Let's go for chips, soda, candy, sugar, sugar substitutes, meat, dairy products, pizza, hamburgers, etc.
I am sick to death of the one sided "health issue" attack!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity
Posted by: Mom | March 31, 2011 at 07:10 AM
I'm with MoM.
Posted by: dafadil | March 31, 2011 at 07:19 AM
Quote: Ritchie says the proposed tax increase would provide the state with an "extra" 178 million dollars a year, and all the money would go towards the state's healthcare programs....How many times are Law Makers going to use this excuse in order to generate more taxes? It's like beating a dead horse. Here's a News flash, "THE HORSE IS DEAD!"
As always another bird brain thinks raising taxes on tobacco will solve the States money problems.
Here's an idea, let's take 70 cents of every dollar that our Law Makers are paid (which we already pay them) and see how much "EXTRA" money that would generate for the State's Healthcare.
And does this mean that if I pay the extra 70 cents per pack of cigarettes that I would qualify for the States Healthcare benefits? Probably not!
Posted by: S.A.M. | March 31, 2011 at 07:28 AM
WOW. So many great tax opportunities:
Fat tax, charge people for every pound over weight. Ugly tax, you get the idea on this one. Hottie tax, charge women for being so good looking they distract drivers, which could cause an accident. Loud music in cars tax, if you buy items to make your car stereo so loud I feel it in my bones. Beer, wine and liquor tax. Ice cube tax. Complaining just to complain tax.
Palm tree tax.
using a lawn mower before 10am tax.
Not watching your kids tax. Bringing your kids to wal-mart tax. Old people driving tax. Crossing the street outside of a cross walk tax.
I do not see any reason why we need these casino's around. All unemployed from the casino closing could become tax assessors and obviously we can generate plenty of income...
Posted by: DA. GARDNER FOR MAYOR | March 31, 2011 at 07:35 AM
PS I got a friend who lives in Washington, she pays 8 bucks for a pack of generic cigs. Did not stop her from smoking, they do however not tax your income there.
Also would our law makers be willing to take say an 8% cut in there pay???????? to save us some money.
Posted by: DA. GARDNER FOR MAYOR | March 31, 2011 at 07:39 AM
MOM...agree with you....
Posted by: bb | March 31, 2011 at 08:00 AM
Here we go again, I am a smoker and when the prices went up last time, i haven't slacked off of smoking, i just dont understand why they are worried about trying to tax us~~ yeah we all know that smoking can kill you but so can walking across the street that dont mean you wont walk across the street. Why dont they tax more on alchol, then that may help get all the drunks from driving on the road after they have had way to much to drink. I thought we lived in a FREE country?!?! IF IT IS OUR CHOICE TO SMOKE ~~ LET US BE!
Posted by: kmarler | March 31, 2011 at 08:24 AM
Instead of taxing ciggs. They should simply tax lighters and matches.....
Posted by: DA. GARDNER FOR MAYOR | March 31, 2011 at 08:42 AM
The Truth will be heard , even though you try and try to remove it .
Posted by: Meinhau | March 31, 2011 at 09:06 AM
Here's a good one: Why don't they manage the money they already have? Just a thouht....
Posted by: late bloomer | March 31, 2011 at 09:39 AM
Go ahead! Make it profitable to smuggle tax-fee cigarettes. Our cops can stop THAT. After all, they're doing such a fine job with marijuana, meth and crack.
Sounds like a heck of an opportunity for the Indian casinos...
Or an enterprising guy with a big truck who drives to Alabama...
Posted by: elohssa | March 31, 2011 at 09:57 AM
ELOHSSA- I thought I saw you in Bama.. Next time I promise to buy you 40oz.....
Posted by: DA. GARDNER FOR MAYOR | March 31, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Gardner--
Come on! You an' me is buds! You know I smuggle Shiner Bock in from Texas in the trunks of "tourists" coming to view Mayor Randy's Miracle on the Lake!
Posted by: elohssa | March 31, 2011 at 10:29 AM
I owe I owe and off to work I go so I can pay more taxes and support more women who keep having baby after baby after baby with no dad in sight and she does not have to work why because she can live off of the tax payers I have a job and I had to do a background check pee in a cup and pass but you dont have to do any of this to live off of the hardworking taxpayer. When you need help from government assistance and you are trying to help yourself and have worked hard most of your life you have paid your dues but too many live off of the system and do nothing but abuse the system.
Posted by: Frustrated Tax Payer | March 31, 2011 at 10:37 AM
MOM IS RIGHT
Posted by: marie | March 31, 2011 at 01:07 PM
Death before more taxes , HELL NO 'MO
Posted by: Meinhau | March 31, 2011 at 01:33 PM
elohssa-Heck that's about the only way someone will think it looks good is to be enjoying some of the fine beverages and pharmaceuticals that are readily available at the palm tree palladium.
I think they tax death.
Posted by: DA. GARDNER FOR MAYOR | March 31, 2011 at 01:40 PM
It would be a lot cheaper on the state if the tobacco users would just die off, instead of running up our health care costs. RIP smokers!
But if they are going to smoke anyway, take the hell out of them.
Posted by: Scott | March 31, 2011 at 03:10 PM
Why does the government think its ok to tax cigarettes? Just because something isn’t healthy it shouldn’t give them the right to tax it excessively. What’s next a tax on sugar, beef, or a tax if you don’t wash your hands? If our elected officials can’t operate a functioning government with the billions we give them already. We need to get them out of there and find someone who can.
Posted by: steve | March 31, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Scott I think overeating kills more people than smoking. If you really cared you would quit eating. It would not hurt for you to learn how to spell while wishing for people to die. How do you explain people smoking every day and living to be 93 years old. Do not worry because when peoples lives are calculated on cost to the state we will not have to deal with any 93 year olds.
Posted by: td | March 31, 2011 at 04:27 PM
Hey Scott E.S.A.D.S.O.B.
The same to your family as well :()
Posted by: Meinhau | March 31, 2011 at 04:35 PM