Do you smoke ? If so help.?

Question

Did you know by January 1, 2008 , Cigarette's are going to take a $6.10 a carton tax hike? State and Federal cigarette taxes have been raised 73 times since the year 2000- increasing the average price of cigarettes 80% a pack. Everyone should pay their share of taxes- but it's unfair to single out smokers once again for a 156% tax increase.
TELL CONGRESS THEY'RE GOING TOO FAR
Let congress know targeting smokers with a $6.10 a carton tax hike is going too far!
Please take a few minutes of your time and visit:
http://stopthefetincrease.com/
And say no to higher cigarette taxes. Thank you.

Answer 1

I'm a coast to coast Truck Driver and there are places where Cigarettes are basically OUTLAWED and other places where the prices for cigarettes are plain nuts when compared to say NC, VA, SC, TN.
$40.00+ a carton in Indiana(more I'm sure) and in some areas one has to PROVE one is old enough to buy cigs. $60.00+ in Arizona, Eloy to be exact. $6.25 per pack!!
In Nevada, one has to also verify with I. D., ones age BEFORE being able to purchase Cigarettes REGARDLESS of age appearance like if one is 80, one STILL HAS TO SHOW I.D.
In Texas there are 30' perimeters near entrances to restaurants, etc., that smokers need to observe lest they receive a "smoking penalty" in the guise of a ticket because the NON SMOKERS can call the police to issue a citation, and the police WILL SHOW UP.

--Right, the subject is the increasing cost of Cigarettes, however ALL THE OTHER SUBJECTS apply as they ARE RELATED--

In sunny California one CANNOT SMOKE on a Beach or ANY public building. This is about everywhere nationally.

The mere price increases are minimal when compared to the overall annoyances and aggravations connected with smoking that are being systematically engaged Nationally.
Many Insurance companies have and will continue to deny policies simply because people smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes and/or chew tobacco.

Alcohol seems to be on a "back burner" for now yet "what are the statistics for people killing others merely because they were smoking cigarettes??"
How many people yearly DIE from smoking related incidents compared to Alcohol related incidents??
Smoking is also being considered and already implemented in some states' "Driver Distractions" laws.
So how many people have DIRECTLY DIED as a result of smoking while driving compared to drinking while driving??

I have yet to be arrested for smoking cigarettes while minding MY OWN BUSINESS yet I know it is forthcoming. It'll be the first and last time for that. It'll probably be a Class A Felony as well soon enough because smoking will at some point in time, violate some federal mandate and/or some other imposition WE allowed.

Pretty sad that our country has de-evolved to this yet WE THE PEOPLE have ALLOWED it to become what it is, therefore only WE can do something to alter the course set in.

Don't just say NO to higher cigarette prices but also say NO to increased negative actions placed upon those of US that do smoke.
--Remember, THERE ARE CURRENT COMPANIES THAT HAVE DICTATED TO THEIR EMPLOYEES THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SMOKE ON THE PREMISES OF THE COMPANY NOR EVEN WITHIN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR OWN DOMICILES--
WHO are these companies to tell PEOPLE they cannot do as they want WITHIN THEIR OWN HOMES??

STAND UP AND FIGHT or go back to sleep.

Answer 2

Back around 2000, or maybe it was a couple years earlier, taxes went up$10 on a carton. That was my incentive to quit. I've saved a lot of money since then.

Oh, they have to keep increasing taxes since more and more smokers are quiting.

Answer 3

The purpose of cigarette tax is to pay for the medical cost of those who smoke. Congress has finally shown a little guts when they increase this tax. They should double it again or be made to watch someone die from a smoking related illness.

Answer 4

Chantix is the way to go if you are a cigarette smoker who wants to quit. I smoked cigarettes for over a decade, patches and gum were not working for me. Doctor put me on Chantix and it worked the first go. Plus I had some really trippy as in LSD trippy dreams while I was taking those things! Talk about an added benefit!!!

Answer 5

Oh how times have changed. Cigarettes during WWII were given to GI's for free or next to free. I guess at that time the government didn't realize how addictive nicotine was. People who normally wouldn't smoke got in the habit. That's why the greatest generation developed all these heart and lung diseases.

I am 56 years old. I remember my mother sending me to the store to pick up Parliament cigarettes for her - 2 packs for $1.00. I certainly was not over 18 years old and did not need a note. My father died at 60 years old from heart disease. My mother did quit smoking, at the age of 81. She's going to be 86 but her breathing is very labored and on a ton of meds and inhalers for her breathing. She sounds like Darth Vader all the time and always out of breath. She went through laser treatment and one session was all she needed. She started to smoke after the war while she was dating my father. She said she wished she never started.

Please quit smoking. It'll save your lungs, your heart, your money and relieve your family of any residuals of second hand smoke or losing you early.

Good luck to you and please quit smoking.

Answer 6

Thank you. I went to the site and gave my info but I honestly don't think it will help. The government will do anything to exploit us. They have us hooked, now it's too hard for most of us to quit. I've tried to quit more times than I can count. The last time I felt like a heroin addict. For three days I cried and vomited. I couldn't eat or sleep. I've tried patches, pills ,and even hypnotism . I have always smoked cheap brands, only because I felt like it took away from my family. But now the cost of my habit makes me feel even more guilty. I hope your question helps. Thank You! I will pass this info along.

Answer 7

the reason they are doing it is like a "sin tax." its to try to deter people from smoking, especially younger kids. if they are expensive, less teens are likely to be able to afford it and pick up the habit. i can understand how it must be hard for someone who has smoked for a long time. maybe try quitting? as soon enough, the patches and gums will be cheaper and easier than cigarettes.

Answer 8

It's not high enough. Congress needs to raise the tax to the point where it pays the extra health care costs that smokers generate. Everyone should pay their share of taxes- and it is more than fair to single out smokers who stink up every place they go once again for a 156% tax increase.

You're welcome.

Answer 9

thats horibble discrimination congress shud be ******* shot

Answer 10

i think the idea is to punk everyone into quitting. that's lame