CA to add $2.60 tax to cigarettes

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imported_hscorpio

Golden Member
Sep 1, 2004
1,617
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Who wants to bet they fall short of their projected increase in revenue due to lost sales to black markets? Cigarette black markets will cause a lot of unintended consequences, such as making it easier for minors to purchase. Yes I know its hard to believe for some thick headed folks, but criminals don't care about age restrictions and actually prefer selling to teens, just look at the current pot market (ask any 16 year if they could buy pot easily).

Border runs will start happening, the tax in Nevada is only 80 cents and there are a lot of Indian reservations in the southwest with no tax. Then theres mexico, I don't know the price of cigs there but they are probably cheaper. Cigarette trucks might be hijacked like whats occured in NY city. Effectively California is going to bring a lot of the problems we currently see in the illegal drug markets to the cigarette market.

Cigarett Taxes, Black Markets, and Crime; Lessons from New York's 50-year losing battle
State Tax Rates on Cigarettes
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: makoto00
i like this. i hope they add a fat people tax next. and then a stupid people tax after.
There already is a stupid people tax. To pay it, all you have to do is live in California.

Actually the lotto is the stupid people tax. California has some.... er a lot of stupid policies, but its still an awesome place to live.

 

FusionKnight

Member
Jun 29, 2004
132
0
0
As far as I'm concerned, to be a smoker you have to have a few screws loose. The more stupid people that smoke, the faster said stupid people kick the bucket. Natural selection at its finest. The sooner the smokers die, the sooner society as a whole will be better off. Hell, if I were given the option, I would donate to Big Tobacco to applaud them for doing society as a whole a huge favour.

FK
 

Staples

Diamond Member
Oct 28, 2001
4,953
119
106
Good. I really wish soda and coffee would be taxed too.

I hate addictions and I see it a big venue for tax dollars.
 

Rage187

Lifer
Dec 30, 2000
14,276
4
81
good.

I also think they should raid everyone's house that is unemployed and on welfare and take everything they own that is considered a luxury item. Then auction it all off.
 

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
6,986
0
0
Originally posted by: Staples
Good. I really wish soda and coffee would be taxed too.

I hate addictions and I see it a big venue for tax dollars.

I quit coffee, soda and tabaca six weeks ago....cold turkey. YEAH!!

Tax it all to death, fast food too.


...Galvanized

 

n yusef

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2005
2,158
1
0
While I think cigarettes are one of the most idiotic habits (The short term effects aren't even any good. When I take another drug at least I'm having fun until it kills me.), this tax will just be the first of many. Although I don't smoke, I don't want to be the one who is effected when they do this to alcohol, unhealthy foods, etc.

I also find fault in a government that benefits on the unhealthy addiction of its citizens.

Something is wrong when the cigarette a teenager is smoking is paying his teacher's wage.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,693
15,095
146
ALL sin taxes suck, whether it's on cigarettes, booze, or ???


Even with this ridiculous tax, cigarettes here will still be about the same as in many states. Tobacco (I think) is about the only known cancer-causing product that is still available to the general public, with little or no restrictions. Since it's been proven to be so bad for you, why is it still legal? Anyone remember in the 60's when saccarin was removed from the market because it was a carcinogen? Replaced by cyclamates, (which actually tasted good), till they were found to cause cancer in lab rats too...Saccarin was allowed to be used again, and remained about the only sugar substitute till nutra-sweet came out in the 80's.
Let's just make tobacco (in ALL forms) illegal to sell, use or posess...That will make a big difference in the health care costs associated with smoking.
I know, lots of people will whine, and there will be a black-market for them, but it's for our own good...:roll:
Oh wait...too many people will probably cry that it's not the government's job to do such a thing...more government interference in our lives...isn't adding an oppressive tax to a product another form of interference?
 

ubercaffeinated

Platinum Member
Dec 1, 2002
2,130
0
71
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: makoto00
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: makoto00
i like this. i hope they add a fat people tax next. and then a stupid people tax after.
There already is a stupid people tax. To pay it, all you have to do is live in California.
California is a great place to live. What's the problem people have with it? I don't get it.
You and your fascist attitude is highly representative of it.


What fascist attitude. If almost everyone in CA agrees to it, it's not fascism is it. It's not like CA is telling the rest of the Union to add increased tobacco taxes. It's not like we're telling people to die either, quite the opposite, I think. And if the people of CA are so stupid, why is it doing so well comparatively to the rest of the Union? Personally, I think you're just jealous of not being able to live in CA. Either that, or you're a stupid, fat smoker, and I've offended you. :p
 

Legend

Platinum Member
Apr 21, 2005
2,254
1
0
Originally posted by: Staples
Good. I really wish soda and coffee would be taxed too.

I hate addictions and I see it a big venue for tax dollars.

Coffee is only unhealthy in mass quantities, or if it's not black.

Green/White tea is slightly addictive, but is basically the healthiest drink and one of the healthiest foods known to man.
 

SampSon

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2006
7,160
1
0
Who cares? It's California. The only thing they ever do there is ban things, and tax the rest. If they missed anything they will tack on a fee.

I don't really want to get involved in a thread about smoking in a forum full of people who fancy themselves the most morally upstanding warriors on the planet.
Being a far-left liberal nutbag really must be fulfilling in a very nazi way.
 

bnads

Member
Jul 21, 2006
61
0
0
LOL THAT'S A LOT!!!

Time to go buy the cartons now! :(

I'm working on kicking the habit... (sorry I'm weak in the mind.)
 

FelixDeCat

Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
31,280
2,789
126
Originally posted by: Vic
Originally posted by: makoto00
i like this. i hope they add a fat people tax next. and then a stupid people tax after.
There already is a stupid people tax. To pay it, all you have to do is live in California.

:laugh:
 

imported_hscorpio

Golden Member
Sep 1, 2004
1,617
0
0
Originally posted by: BoomerD
ALL sin taxes suck, whether it's on cigarettes, booze, or ???


Even with this ridiculous tax, cigarettes here will still be about the same as in many states. Tobacco (I think) is about the only known cancer-causing product that is still available to the general public, with little or no restrictions. Since it's been proven to be so bad for you, why is it still legal? Anyone remember in the 60's when saccarin was removed from the market because it was a carcinogen? Replaced by cyclamates, (which actually tasted good), till they were found to cause cancer in lab rats too...Saccarin was allowed to be used again, and remained about the only sugar substitute till nutra-sweet came out in the 80's.
Let's just make tobacco (in ALL forms) illegal to sell, use or posess...That will make a big difference in the health care costs associated with smoking.
I know, lots of people will whine, and there will be a black-market for them, but it's for our own good...:roll:
Oh wait...too many people will probably cry that it's not the government's job to do such a thing...more government interference in our lives...isn't adding an oppressive tax to a product another form of interference?

Sin taxes seem fine as long as they are reasonable. If we think that certain activities cause a certain cost to society, be it health related or whatever then I can see how a small use tax could be justified. But when you tax something too much it will ultimately bite you in the ass when people resort to black markets where they can get it cheaper.

Banning all tobacco is a horrible idea and will make the problem much worse and harder to control. The best way to reduce its use is through education. I don't know why this concept is so hard for people to realize especially in light of all the success we've had at banning other substances some people decided they didn't approve of.
 

imported_goku

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2004
7,613
3
0
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: goku
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: halik
Originally posted by: FelixDeKat
Now to add $2.60 tax to Taco Bell, McDonalds, etc.. fatty foods! :evil:

I'd actually support that ... anything over 200% d/v of saturated fat

We should also add high taxes to any cars that have over a certain number of horsepower that may lead to speeding and resulting accidents. All those accidents costs the rest of us tons of money.

That tax already exists, and it's expensive.

I know, but I say we drop the bar to about say....100HP. I mean anything over could lead to an accident.

You're so ****** stupid it's ridiculous. You think accidents are caused simply by speed? 10MPH fenderbender? Thats an accident and I'm sure it didn't require more than 10hp to do that.. :roll: Accidents are caused by morons, less morons on the road, less accidents. When you have lots of people+lots of morons, you have lots of accidents. If everyone was given a *real* driving test, like racing equivalent, so you *know* you vehicle, I'm sure we'd have less accidents.

::sigh::

Try reading the thread to find out where I stand on things before coming off like a moron.

I read the thread, and I still came to the conclusion that you're a delusional dimwitted goober.
 

fitzov

Platinum Member
Jan 3, 2004
2,477
0
0
Banning all tobacco is a horrible idea and will make the problem much worse and harder to control. The best way to reduce its use is through education. I don't know why this concept is so hard for people to realize especially in light of all the success we've had at banning other substances some people decided they didn't approve of.

The prohibition of alcohol and marijuanna would seem to be an example that banning substances doesn't work.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,543
20,238
146
Originally posted by: FusionKnight
As far as I'm concerned, to be a smoker you have to have a few screws loose. The more stupid people that smoke, the faster said stupid people kick the bucket. Natural selection at its finest. The sooner the smokers die, the sooner society as a whole will be better off. Hell, if I were given the option, I would donate to Big Tobacco to applaud them for doing society as a whole a huge favour.

FK

The irony of this post is almost painful.

Here's a hint: For natural selection to work the person (or animal) must be killed off BEFORE they breed. Smoking kills people late in life, LONG after breeding age.

Hell, I bet even most "stupid," "screw loose" smokers know this.
 

Kristi2k

Golden Member
Oct 25, 2003
1,364
4
81
Good... Here in Maine a pack is $5.80 or so. I don't smoke, I just have to listen to the smokers complain about it.
 

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
56
STATE CIGARETTE TAXES

The median state tax, per pack, is 80 cents, and the federal tax is 39 cents.

Highest
Rhode Island ($2.46)
New Jersey ($2.40)
Washington ($2.03)
Maine ($2)
Michigan ($2)

Lowest
South Carolina ($0.07)
Missouri ($0.17)
Mississippi ($0.18)
Tennessee ($0.20)
Kentucky ($0.30)
Virginia ($0.30)


Note: Some states allow cities or counties to apply additional tax. Figures are as of Jan 1, 2006.


Way to take the lead California :thumbsup:
 

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
21
81
Originally posted by: Feldenak
Originally posted by: SagaLore
If I were the government, I would have banned cigarettes altogether by now. Its an extremely addictive substance.

Yeah, that worked oh so well for alcohol and the War On Drugs is quite the success story.

Alcohol is not addictive, and in moderation is good to have.

Cigarettes don't let you put them down willingly, and is very bad for your health.
 

SagaLore

Elite Member
Dec 18, 2001
24,036
21
81
Originally posted by: Platypus
What business does the government have in telling you what you can do with your own body?

The same business that makes it illegal for 40 yr olds to have sex with a 13 yr old.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,543
20,238
146
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: Feldenak
Originally posted by: SagaLore
If I were the government, I would have banned cigarettes altogether by now. Its an extremely addictive substance.

Yeah, that worked oh so well for alcohol and the War On Drugs is quite the success story.

Alcohol is not addictive, and in moderation is good to have.

Cigarettes don't let you put them down willingly, and is very bad for your health.

Oh yeah, there are no alcoholics, right?

At any rate, addiction is irrelevant. The banning of alcohol and drugs has been an abject failure, and caused far more harm than good. The illegality of both did nothing to stop use, abuse and addiction rates. Only education and treatment has ever made a dent in that. In fact, the rate of drug use rises and falls with fads, and NEVER is affected by enforcement tactics in the war on drugs.

Bans only benefit criminals, and thus harm innocent people.

Considering the fact that tobacco is as addictive as the most addictive drugs, a ban would simply open up huge, violently dangerous black markets.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,543
20,238
146
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: Platypus
What business does the government have in telling you what you can do with your own body?

The same business that makes it illegal for 40 yr olds to have sex with a 13 yr old.

The 13 year old cannot legally consent. Where is the law saying a 70 year old can't have sex with an 18 year old?

At any rate, he's right. The government has no business telling consenting adults what they may, or may not do with their own bodies. I don't need a mother, and neither do you. If you do, go hire one and leave everyone else alone.
 

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
56
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Originally posted by: Feldenak
Originally posted by: SagaLore
If I were the government, I would have banned cigarettes altogether by now. Its an extremely addictive substance.

Yeah, that worked oh so well for alcohol and the War On Drugs is quite the success story.

Alcohol is not addictive, and in moderation is good to have.

Cigarettes don't let you put them down willingly, and is very bad for your health.

Oh yeah, there are no alcoholics, right?

At any rate, addiction is irrelevant. The banning of alcohol and drugs has been an abject failure, and caused far more harm than good. The illegality of both did nothing to stop use, abuse and addiction rates. Only education and treatment has ever made a dent in that. In fact, the rate of drug use rises and falls with fads, and NEVER is affected by enforcement tactics in the war on drugs.

Bans only benefit criminals, and thus harm innocent people.

Consideting the fact that tobacco is as addictive as the most addictive drugs, a ban would simply open up huge, violently dangerous black markets.
i think he meant that you can have a drink and not automatically become addicted. with cigarettes it's far more likely to lead to addiction.
but you knew he meant that. ;)

personally, i wouldn't want to see a full out ban on cigarettes. my mother would then have to be admitted to an insane asylum. yes... she is THAT addicted.