Cigarette Taxes In Chicago Up To $6.67 Per Pack

[BoomerD]

While we're at it, let's put a HEAVY tax on all alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol destroys lives, families, and kills people...not only the people who drink, but the victims of those who drink and drive.

Let's start with $100 per pint...

 

[OverVolt]

Chicago is fairly hard up for cash huh.

 

[Mixolydian]

While we're at it, let's put a HEAVY tax on all alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol destroys lives, families, and kills people...not only the people who drink, but the victims of those who drink and drive.

Let's start with $100 per pint...

:thumbsup:

 

[OverVolt]

They should tax like $25/mo for all cellphones because of all the damage to society that distracted driving causes.

 

[Carfax83]

While we're at it, let's put a HEAVY tax on all alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol destroys lives, families, and kills people...not only the people who drink, but the victims of those who drink and drive.

Let's start with $100 per pint...

While alcoholism is perhaps even more destructive than smoking, it's not as offensive imo.

The noxious fumes of cigarettes can travel far from it's source and spread out over a large area, affecting many other people.

Look at what SheHateMe said. I've heard similar complaints of people that live in apartment complexes with heavy smokers that smoke inside their apartments.

You have the right to smoke no doubt, but you don't have the right to pollute the breathing air of other people.

 

[BoomerD]

While alcoholism is perhaps even more destructive than smoking, it's not as offensive imo.

The noxious fumes of cigarettes can travel far from it's source and spread out over a large area, affecting many other people.

Look at what SheHateMe said. I've heard similar complaints of people that live in apartment complexes with heavy smokers that smoke inside their apartments.

You have the right to smoke no doubt, but you don't have the right to pollute the breathing air of other people.

No one cares if you get offended by smoking...if we're going to pass sin taxes, let's go after those sinful activities that actually harm people. Yes, tobacco is harmful...mostly to those who use the product, but alcohol can be destructive.

 

[Agent11]

Ridiculous in my opinion. You don't like smoking, don't smoke.

 

[Matt1970]

Alcohol is already heavily taxed. Some states are over $20 a gallon. You just don't see it as it's paid by wholsalers and distributors and tacked on to the price by the time you pay for it. You just see the normal sales tax.

 

[BoomerD]

Alcohol is already heavily taxed. Some states are over $20 a gallon. You just don't see it as it's paid by wholsalers and distributors and tacked on to the price by the time you pay for it. You just see the normal sales tax.

How is that different than taxes on tobacco?

Most US cigarettes have less than 1 gram of tobacco (.9 gm) in them. With 20 cigarettes in a pack, that's an average of 18 grams for $6.67 in tax... That's a tax of $166 per pound.

 

[OverVolt]

How is that different than taxes on tobacco?

Most US cigarettes have less than 1 gram of tobacco (.9 gm) in them. With 20 cigarettes in a pack, that's an average of 18 grams for $6.67 in tax... That's a tax of $166 per pound.

You know too much about cigarettes. TAX HIM!!!

 

[umbrella39]

This is my only worry here. Gas, probably.

Perhaps. I am seriously doubting it will be beer and wine they move onto next. Both are still very, very affordable. When cigarettes went up over $6 a pack 4 years ago that really helped make the quitting easier.

 

[momeNt]

Government entities are exploiting cigarette smokers just as much if not more than the tobacco companies themselves. They both are preying on addicts.

 

[dmcowen674]

Perhaps. I am seriously doubting it will be beer and wine they move onto next. Both are still very, very affordable. When cigarettes went up over $6 a pack 4 years ago that really helped make the quitting easier.

It's $11 a pack now.

Most people I know are 2 pack a day smokers which is $154 a week, nearly $7,300 a year.

Almost half of my salary for the year blown up in smoke, incredible.

 

[monovillage]

This is my only worry here. Gas, probably.

Not just gas, but carbon or energy. Also likely targets are alcohol, sugary drinks and fast food.


*EDIT*
In fact didn't Lieberman propose and push for an energy tax after he was ousted as the Democrat Senator for Connecticut in 2006 and forced to run and win as an Independent?

 

[hans007]

I smoke pretty occasionally like when I'm at a club out somethjbg which is rare. Yes its unhealthy but so are other things. $11 a pack is insane. Why not tax carbs and fatty goods too.

Just too much govt. People in japan and Europe smoke way more than in the us and manage to live longer in average so clearly its not the worst thing out there

 

[dmcowen674]

I smoke pretty occasionally like when I'm at a club out somethjbg which is rare. Yes its unhealthy but so are other things. $11 a pack is insane. Why not tax carbs and fatty goods too.

Just too much govt. People in japan and Europe smoke way more than in the us and manage to live longer in average so clearly its not the worst thing out there

Speaking of clubs, most here have vending machines with $20 a pack.

They will probably raise them to $25 a pack now.

 

[monovillage]

This is my only worry here. Gas, probably.

You were right.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/feb/28/gas-tax-california-rise-july/

The tax you pay on a gallon of gas will rise by 3.5 cents in California come July 1.

The state Board of Equalization voted 3-2 on Thursday to increase the excise tax about 10 percent, from 36 cents per gallon to 39.5 cents per gallon.

The increase is partly due to a $157 million shortfall in gas-tax revenue in fiscal 2012, and also a projection of less consumption by California drivers.

Californians are using less gas, so they have to raise the tax.
Later they are going to destroy the village in order to save it.

 

[randomrogue]

Good!

 

[ShawnD1]

While we're at it, let's put a HEAVY tax on all alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol destroys lives, families, and kills people...not only the people who drink, but the victims of those who drink and drive.

Let's start with $100 per pint...

I bet you would love Canada. The cheapest tequila I have ever seen is $35 for 750mL (25.4oz).

 

[Doppel]

Taxes on a pack should be raised by a dollar a year in perpetuity. It would completely destroy smoking as a habit.

 

[michal1980]

Taxes on a pack should be raised by a dollar a year in perpetuity. It would completely destroy smoking as a habit.

Are people really this stupid?

Eventually the black market will take over.

Why not ban smoking like pot. Then no one will do it. oh wait.

 

[Ausm]

No. Smokers are assholes.

Wait, this is P&N not ATOT. I support this tax.

Most are that I know.

 

[Carfax83]

No one cares if you get offended by smoking...if we're going to pass sin taxes, let's go after those sinful activities that actually harm people. Yes, tobacco is harmful...mostly to those who use the product, but alcohol can be destructive.

You (and most smokers) may not care whether I'm personally offended by smoking, but the point is, a LOT of people are offended by smoking and there's power in numbers.

Smoking has gone from being cool to passé to finally being viewed as unhealthy and disgusting. Smokers are being increasingly shunned, and even on dating websites, people want to know if you smoke.

And you can tax alcohol to kingdom come for all I care, as I don't drink.

 

[michal1980]

You (and most smokers) may not care whether I'm personally offended by smoking, but the point is, a LOT of people are offended by smoking and there's power in numbers.

Smoking has gone from being cool to passé to finally being viewed as unhealthy and disgusting. Smokers are being increasingly shunned, and even on dating websites, people want to know if you smoke.

And you can tax alcohol to kingdom come for all I care, as I don't drink.

So what you are saying is that minorities have no rights as long as the majority says so.

 

[PokerGuy]

What I find disgusting is the people who seem to think it's OK for the government to levy ridiculous tax on something just because they don't like it.

For the record, I don't smoke, never have and I find it absolutely disgusting. However, just because I find something disgusting doesn't mean I'm fine with the government arbitrarily taxing it to get more revenue. You could make the same argument about any and everything, which destroys the concept of personal choice and liberty.