2006-09-29 12:25:15 · 13 answers · asked by melissa r 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
What a great question.....in the state where I live (Maine) the state tax on a single pack of cigarettes is $2.00 !
The only possible justification I conjure up is that many more legislatures drink their two martini lunches than those that smoke.
I believe that if all of the alcohol related direct and indirect domestic abuse cases, traffic injuries and deaths, crime, assaults, alcohol rehabilitation costs and disorderly conduct concerns were totaled up they would make the cost of cigarette smoking look like petty cash.
2006-09-29 12:47:24 · answer #1 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They raise it on both. Part of it is to drive up the price so people will be discouraged from buying the products, but at the same time, they know that if you are addicted to them, you will use them no matter how much they cost and they can continue adding taxes for any services they need to fund. They are especially willing to do this because of the health risks in using these products.
2006-09-29 19:35:22 · answer #2 · answered by when's my next vacation??? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the Democrats for ya. They would tax dead people if they thought they could get away with it. Go into Republican held counties and you will find the cigarette tax to be half what it is in Democratic counties. Democrats love high taxes. In effect, it is a tax on the poor. They know that.
2006-09-29 19:39:08 · answer #3 · answered by sean1201 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some states, the alcohol tax is actually pretty high.
As they say, the government is also addicted to tobacco. It is a good stream of revenue, and I would think, statistically, more people buy cigarettes regularly than alcohol.
2006-09-29 19:29:57 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because really when you smoke you effect everyone around you non-smokers included when you drink at least its not in the air get it! By the way Im a smoker and hear it all the time im killing the innocent! But if I drink I can exhale and not effect anyone
2006-09-29 20:41:19 · answer #5 · answered by weirded out 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they can. It is just a way to make money and they know that people that smoke are addicted and they have to buy smokes no matted if they raise the amount.
2006-09-29 19:31:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What makes you think that alcohol is not heavily taxed also ?
Anything that the politicians can do to feather their nest is fair game for taxing.....They clearly are better equipped to spend your money than you are...
2006-09-29 19:29:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people are not addicted to alcohol. If it became too expensive, they would drink less or brew their own.
Governments cannot afford to have people give up smoking. They are cash cows.
2006-09-29 19:55:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They dont care if it kills ya just if it makes you sick and they have to take care fof you 1.00 a pack sin tax man I remember 65 cents a pack.
2006-09-29 19:29:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because the smokers in Congress quit years ago, but they still drink.
2006-09-29 19:35:43 · answer #10 · answered by Liza 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋