These are called "sin" taxes. The idea is that if you do these naughty things (like drink, smoke or gamble) the government has the right to tax you extra hard -- (1) to get you to stop, (2) because what you're doing is just "fun" or morally ambiguous, and we may want to discourage this behavoir, and (3) if you do it, we can "balance the scale" by taking some of your money and doing something good with it. They have been around for a long time, and most states have a scheme like this. Sometimes the sin taxes are targeted to the "sin" of the underlying activity (i.e. cig tax for health care, alcohol tax for victims compensation fund for victims of drunk drivers, lottery tax to run 1800BETSOFF) but some times they're not (most "sin" taxes just go into the general fund of the government and are included in revenues that can be spent on whatever). I think it's just another sin tax, and to the extent that we want to stop the regular use of tobacco, that's great.
(P.S. Income tax doesn't fund schools -- property tax does. Why should property owners have to fund schools for children whose families rent? It's inequity all around -- at least here you know you're doing some good springing from an unhealthy activity.)
2007-02-09 08:27:53
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answer #1
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answered by Perdendosi 7
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Non Smoker
2016-03-28 23:56:21
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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No! " for the children" is an overused phrase to get money. I am sick of hearing it and I have children. Also, education affects everyone so why should smokers be taxed for this purpose. I am also a teacher and know that this tax would undoubtedly have very little effect on education but would be a nice hefty windfall " for the government".
2007-02-09 09:47:51
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answer #3
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answered by DW 3
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Why doesn't Georgia TAX the Hell out of all those Illegal Aliens they are harboring and use it towards educating the children of Georgia! Maybe you would find Revenue, if you stopped giving Illegal Aliens every advantage over Legitimate American Citizens..Smokinglobby.com..
Smokers have no rights, are pushed out of restaurants, bars, hotel rooms and at work... How about that?
2007-02-09 08:35:20
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answer #4
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answered by Sassy 3
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I'm an ex-smoker but what the hell. I don't think taxes on tobacco should go for causes like that. They have to be related to the thing they're being levied for. For instance, taxes on cigs should only go toward things related to cigs like smoking cessation. In this case, if smoking decreases then education funding will also decrease.
2007-02-09 08:04:04
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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No I would not. That is what Income Tax is for. People smoking does not negatively impact a child's opportunity to learn.
Why not raise the taxes on Alchohol to fund State Highways ?
2007-02-09 08:07:08
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answer #6
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answered by Td2012 1
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I don't have, want, or like kids, why should I have to pay for other people's kids?
BTW.. I agree with a previous answer, they always use the excuse "its for the children".. that excuse just got smoking banned here in Vegas.. guess what places it is now banned in.. 1) Restaraunts (understandable) 2) Gambling areas of grocery stores (also understandable) 3) BARS that serve food.. (WTF?!?).. they said it was for the children, what kind of moron is bringing children into a bar in the first place, and expecting to NOT smell cigarette smoke??.. do you know how many bars have been closing because of profit losses just because non-smokers might maybe want to go into that bar one day, wtf, seriously.. i don't get it.
2007-02-09 08:04:12
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answer #7
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answered by Fluffington Cuddlebutts 6
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Nope education is the concern of all. What happens if people give up and schools are left without rescources. the tax would not be guarenteed and prone to changes in demand, is this a way to fund education
2007-02-09 08:03:40
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Sure I agree with raising the tx to pay for education I don't agree with banning smoking everywhere.
2007-02-09 08:03:26
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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I would agree to it if it not only helped children, but adults as well. It would be nice if some of us adults could finish college without wondering how to pay for it and if smokers (like me) were to help fit the bill for those of us who suffer the difficulties of being poor and want to get into college and succeed and end the problems of being poor. And if those kids graduate from school, then what?
2007-02-09 08:07:40
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answer #10
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answered by Broadsword 3
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