Excise tax on cigarettes

[kylebes1]

I am not going for the most crappy threads in one day award... I have to write a policy debate about excise tax on cigarettes.

What are your opinions on excise taxation of none desirable goods. Please exclude any socialism banter about current events. I just want to know you you feel excise tax is an effective means off affecting consumption.

[Maluco]

I am not going for the most crappy threads in one day award... I have to write a policy debate about excise tax on cigarettes.


What are your opinions on excise taxation of none desirable goods. Please exclude any socialism banter about current events. I just want to know you you feel excise tax is an effective means off affecting consumption.

Are you going to write it in English? If so, you may want to reconsider.

BTW, Georgia is the 4th least highest cigarette tax state! Congrats!

[mrsleeve]

While they say its to pay for the heath care of the childern, it will get siphoned off for god know what ever else to pissed away.

I am not a smoker nor do I chew anymore. What I have an issue with is the discrimination of a group of people to tax the living shit out of on a addictive product. Seems kinda like a captive group dose it not????

Now while all you guys are gonna bitch at me about how bad it is for you and all that, dont you think that the everyone in this country knows that by fucking now the war on tobacco has been rageing on for 30 some odd years. Its a personal choice and everyone is free to make it. If you want to excise tax these people on the argument of heath care costs as they age and are on Medicare, then put the fucking money in a trust to treat tobacco related illness when that time arises. Dose or will that happen Hell know its for the god dammed children (that were already covered under current laws till they were 18 if your family could not afford coverage).

I dont like the govt. using taxes as a weapon to discourage a personal choice/freedom just because its socially unacceptable any longer.


Yeah yeah, I know they can quit to be able to save money and not pay the tax an no longer be punished for that choice. But thats not the point.

[atomic]

Opinions HERE

[CorvallisBMW]

Since most people begin smoking as teenagers, and teenagers have very limited incomes, it makes sense that higher prices would discourage them from starting.

It's unfortunate that low-income people smoke the most, and therefor have to shoulder most of the tax burden. But what's the alternative? Not tax them and double, or even triple, the number of smokers (and therefor smoking related health costs)?

[daniel]

Since most people begin smoking as teenagers, and teenagers have very limited incomes, it makes sense that higher prices would discourage them from starting.

It's unfortunate that low-income people smoke the most, and therefor have to shoulder most of the tax burden. But what's the alternative? Not tax them and double, or even triple, the number of smokers (and therefor smoking related health costs)?

perfectly stated.

[Hallen]

Punitive, minority (meaning a smaller group than the entire population... and also one that is reviled like smokers), and sin taxes all sound good. But it is simply another way for the government to extort more money out of us. It does nothing to slow people from smoking. It has the benefit to the government in that the majority of people don't use tobacco, so laws are either supported by the majority or voted for by the majority. This is a perversion of our democratic system.

Yes, taxes do influence people's behavior. There is no doubt about that. But, taxes on tobacco do not slow the use of tobacco. You get hooked before you know it, so the taxes don't come into play, and once you are hooked, the taxes are just another annoyance. You'll give up eating for a day to get your fix.

American culture is what is reducing the number of smokers out there. It is no longer an accepted custom and people who smoke are shunned. That has far greater affect than the taxes ever will. Plus, this type of tax is immoral.

[CorvallisBMW]

...It does nothing to slow people from smoking......Yes, taxes do influence people's behavior.......But, taxes on tobacco do not slow the use of tobacco...

Wait, what? They don't work, but they do, but they don't?

Why wouldn't high prices stop people from smoking? Last summer, $4.50/gallon gasoline reduced fuel consumption for the first time in decades. Why would cigarettes be any different? It's simple economics; the more expensive things are, the less people will buy of them. Do you think that if we jacked up the price to $10/pack, no one would stop smoking and the numbers would stay exactly the same as they are now?

[TwoJ's]

Since most people begin smoking as teenagers, and teenagers have very limited incomes, it makes sense that higher prices would discourage them from starting.

It's unfortunate that low-income people smoke the most, and therefor have to shoulder most of the tax burden. But what's the alternative? Not tax them and double, or even triple, the number of smokers (and therefor smoking related health costs)?

I would say that cost does not determine whether a person is going to smoke or not. It does however determine the quality of cigarette they will smoke.

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
thats a very good point, that I completely for got about.



Corvallis:::


Fuel consumption fell last summer, because the economy was on the way out and people said to hell with their vacations and unnecessary trips to anywhere. Because they had to choose between food and fuel and the mortgage payment!!!!!!!!!!! You see that was stuff they could live with out or put off, can you put down the Bong for several week, or will you spend you last 12 bucks for a dime bag????? Cost will not stop people from getting their fix, look at the crack/meth heads they will do anything for their fix, smoking while not as bad as some of those other substances is on the same lines of thinking. Ever see the section 8 people near the end of the month at the party store buying smokes by the individual, because they cant afford the pack because they didnt find enough cans that day?????? Maybe once you have a job and earn you own living you will see where all you money goes and how its spent and then you will see what All the rest of are talking about. You seem like a really smart kid, I just dont get why you cant see some of this stuff.

Your argument is also flawed, EVERYONE uses fuel, Everyone needs fuel. Not every one uses tobacco, this is a punitive tax on a small group of the population not a life blood commodity of society. That said the guber-ment makes more money taxing the tobacco and oil industries than either of the respective industries make actually making and producing products.

How bout a old BMW tax, would you ditch your cars just because there was a 240 dollar a year federal tax on just e30's no other old BMW just E30's. Say this tax was paid in 20 dollar installments on the 1st of each month would you dump the e30 or just save the extra 20 bucks a month from some where else?????????????? Same damm thing as SIN taxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TwoJ's]

Wait, what? They don't work, but they do, but they don't?

Why wouldn't high prices stop people from smoking? Last summer, $4.50/gallon gasoline reduced fuel consumption for the first time in decades. Why would cigarettes be any different? It's simple economics; the more expensive things are, the less people will buy of them. Do you think that if we jacked up the price to $10/pack, no one would stop smoking and the numbers would stay exactly the same as they are now?

Apples and oranges.

[rThor432]

For what it's worth, I have at least 5 close friends who are long time smokers (10+ years) that have stopped smoking just because of the price. They were talking about quitting, but I never thought they would. So I think the price will scare a few cheap teenies off..

[Aptyp]

well, making back-yard grown weed cheaper than tobacco will definitely effect people. Probably in a good way.

[CincinnatiKid]

Heard about this extra tax on the radio this morning, but somebody did some research and actually proved that smokers SAVED the government money because on average smokers die 10 years earlier than non-smokers, saving healthcare money, social security and so on... I think they said after all the research, it was found that smokers saved the government like $0.59 for every pack sold. some interesting food for thought.

[Collin]

Are you going to write it in English? If so, you may want to reconsider.

"Georgia is the 4th least highest cigarette tax state!"

What?