A famous phrase frequented by President Barack H. Obama has already proved him a liar…or at least a misleader.
The president’s oft said statement of no tax increases for families making less than $200,000 has a loophole…for smokers.
The federal cigarette tax was raised from 39 cents to $1.01 per pack and will go into full effect on April 1. The nearly triple-sized tax comes as a result of the passing of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorazation Act and funds an expansion of health care for children of low-income families, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., based in Winston-Salem, has already increased their prices which include the federal increase.
Other tobacco products are under attack from higher taxation including cigars, chewing tobacco and loose tobacco (pipe/roll your own).
In addition to the federal tax, many states are proposing higher cigarette taxes…including North Carolina. Gov. Bev Perdue has announced a plan to raise the state tax by $1 , bringing it to $1.35 per pack.
Many smokers, and Libertarians, believe the smoking tax and other sin taxes should be abolished. Sin taxes on alcohol, tobacco, etc. are used to “punish” the percentage of people who choose to use those products. In most cases, smokers and drinkers are in a lower class than those making the tax laws, which puts an increased burden on them.
The increased tax not only affects smokers, but also has a strong impact on vendors. Small busisnesses such as gas stations rely on cigarette sales. If people stop smoking because of the higher prices, the businesses are stuck with inventory. If less people smoke, then the tobacco companies will have to layoff workers.
Smokers are facing another assualt from the Nanny State by way of smoking bans. Many states, again including North Carolina, are proposing state-wide smoking bans in most public areas. These draconian laws overrule private businesses, open areas and are even seeping into smokers’ personal lives…all for the children.
But aren’t the taxes going to help the children?
In response to the proposed ban in North Carolina, that used to proudy proclaim it was built by tobacco, cigarette giant R. J. Reynolds relased this statement:
“R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the nation’s second-largest tobacco-products manufacturer, supports smoking restrictions in most public places, but urges the N.C. legislature to exempt adult-only venues like bars and nightclubs from a statewide smoking ban.”
As a smoker, I join radio talk show host Jerry Doyle in lighting one up…for the children.
indieregister.wordpress.com 
Well, I thought I disagreed with you, but I only partially disagree. I understand the ridiculousness of the tax, and think it’s stupid. Let people smoke without taxing them to death – the cigs will take care of that for them.
However, I DO agree that smoking should be banned in most public areas. If it is a privately owned enterprise, then by all means, post a “Smoking Bar!” sign outside your door, or continue to offer smoking sections in the restaurant, but as far as gov’t owned buildings, hospitals, and state & federal parks, I believe that smoking should be 100% banned.
I also agree with colleges and universities adopting a non-smoking policy. Do NOT force me to inhale your cancer, please and thank you very much. One of the only reasons I disliked Craven was that I frequently had to walk through plumes of the smoke of 2 or 3 people who gather near the doors – even after we voted on and purchased “smoking huts” for them to sit and stand in! It drove me nuts – I have allergies and asthma, so I had to hold my breath for the minute and a half it took me to walk up to and through the door.
If you’re in the privacy of your own home or car, or in an establishment that makes it clear that smoking is permitted indoors, then I have no problem with someone smoking, but in high-traffic public locations, I personally believe it should be banned.
Please keep in mind that it’s not just a sin tax. Taxing tobacco and alcohol often functions to offset the increased health care expenses caused by tobacco and alcohol use.