Comments on: A High Price to Pay for Smoking

By: Chris Wessell

Chris Wessell — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:39:00 +0000

Sin taxes are ridiculous. New York’s excise tax on distilled spirits is nearly double the national average. I don’t smoke, but I tell you what, if my Scotch went up even so much as a dollar I’d freaking lose it.

Meanwhile just yesterday on the highway I passed a E-Class Mercedes Benz with NYS Senate plates on it. As if “public servants” deserve to be shuttled around in luxury as if they were flippin’ monarchs. Can we maybe cut a few expenses before looking at increasing revenue streams? I know, that falls on deaf ears. But compared to the excessive “vices” commonly accepted in state government, our personal “vices” pale in comparison, and, for that matter, relevance.

By: Donna H

Donna H — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:16:01 +0000

I hate, hate, hate “sin” taxes of any ilk. I don’t smoke (did very briefly, very little) and I don’t drink but it pisses me off whenever they target so-called vices. We’re adults who make our own choices and we should not be taxed for taking up activities others don’t like. It’s a punishment tax, pure and simple, and wrong, wrong, wrong.

I’ve long argued when people didn’t get why I protest so loudly at taxes on stuff I don’t do, what’s next? My sweet tooth? I rest my case. Eff off with this soda tax too. I don’t drink much of that any more but the deposit on cans and bottle is annoying enough but can be grudingly accepted as a necessity given the greenness of it. But taxing it just so the State can raise cash so it can increase spending on entitlements. Maybe it’s time to curb those.

And we all know the State doesn’t believe it will curtail squat. They’re not even pretending to. State just wants to raise money so it’s taxing people’s addictions. People stop drinking and smoking, it will be the sugar next. (See the soda tax.) They stop drinking soda, it’ll be all sweets or even sugar itself. Maybe potato chips. Anything so that they don’t have to curtail spending instead. You know like the per diems the legislature can rack up while they refuse to pass a budget.

It’s disgusting and should be stopped. And it should outrage you even if you don’t smoke. And, no, don’t buy for one second it’s about people’s health. It isn’t.

By: Michael Huber, timesunion.com

Michael Huber, timesunion.com — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:18:13 +0000

Hi Kevin. #13, with the embedded links to notobacco.net, smells like spam.

By: Kevin Marshall

Kevin Marshall — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:38:41 +0000

Yeah, that was my bad, I should’ve been paying more attention when I was approving comments.

I’d still swear by the patch first and foremost.

By: potrzebie

potrzebie — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:35:58 +0000

I also sincerely hope that folks are bright enough to do some research on “electronic cigarettes” (see above #11 link) before blindly purchasing. Wikipedia has an interesting write-up. Note especially the ingredients and the FDA paragraph:

**The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified electronic cigarettes as drug delivery device and subject to market approval prior to sale under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). In January 2010, this classification was overturned by a federal judge. An appeals court overruled this classification on March 2010. Despite this, a number of electronic cigarette companies have emerged online. However, it is unclear what actions the FDA will take to ensure that only compliant products are on the market.**

By: NoTobaccoNet

NoTobaccoNet — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:45:09 +0000

Regardless of your opinion on smoking, the fact is that increasing taxes on Tobacco, is actually a tax directly on Nicotine Addiction. Until now the only options for those addicted to nicotine were either 1. to continue to smoke harmful, additive and chemical laden Tobacco Cigarettes, or 2. To attempt the endless struggle of quitting……. now there is a better alternative that continues to give you the nicotine you need/want, without all of the harmful tars and carcinogens of tobacco and tobacco cigarettes. Tobacco taxes keep increasing everywhere. I smoke, but I don’t pay any taxes because I have found a better way than Tobacco Cigarettes. If you are a smoker, and don’t want to pay higher taxes, while at the same time are concerned for your health, see the important information here:

http://www.NoTobacco.net/Blog

Now you can give up your habit and keep it all at the same time…. It could change your life! ;-)

By: heavyt

heavyt — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:06:21 +0000

It is quite the motivator, to visit Vermont, and while I am there, I will fill my gas tank, and I’ll throw a couple of coolers in the trunk and shop for my groceries too!

I encourage everyone else to do the same.

By: DaveToo

DaveToo — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:40:06 +0000

So let’s assume the tax has one of the desired effects, and all of New York smokers quit or go outside of NY for their smokes. What prey tell, are they going to tax to make for all of the lost revenues?

Seriously, I’m glad you were able to give up smoking Kevin, but I’m not ready yet. In the meantime, I’ll go outside NY for ALL of my smoke and alcohol products. Thanks NY for forcing me into bootlegging.

By: kriskaten

kriskaten — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:59:40 +0000

it is now officially cheaper and easier to get pot in this state.
good job, new york.
kids are still going to smoke SOMETHING if they want to. at least now they can afford the better high of the two.

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:14:27 +0000

#1, the cig tax is not just — or even primarily — intended to be a revenue raiser or disincentive to smoke. It’s also meant as compensation for the state for the high public health costs of smoking (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare and charity care treatment for smoking-related health problems).