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Huntsman wants hefty smoke tax

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chri | 7:53 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

sure, let's tax smokers... their only the underacheivers of society, let them pay for everything. Hey i got an idea, sense I don't have kids, why should I pay for the schools.. I don't use them, let's tax parent's per kid in school to pay for the education they recieve. This country was founded on the tabacco industry, these attempts to kill it with taxes is un-american!

I'm Quitting | 8:07 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

So let's see if I have this right. We charge people more to get them to quit? When they quit, the tax will have to be raised even more because there are fewer and fewer smokers. Eventually, the last smoker will be paying what? $500 million for a pack of cigarette? Good plan.

jo | 8:11 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

hey, I would LOVE to have "fun health care system reform"! Let's do it!

Comments continue below

G | 8:48 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I think increasing the tax on alchol would be even better! Drinkers are the real under achievers in society!

G | 8:50 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Great comments by both Chri and Im quitting! Very good points made by both!

uncannygunman | 9:08 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Boooo, smokers pay enough already (in all kinds of ways) and save the state untold healthcare dollars by not living to be 100.

The "public health police" is the new "morality police."

Butt out Huntsman | 9:55 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Yeah, great idea to eliminate the state sales tax on food and let the Utahns get even FATTER. Make it so they can

afford to buy twice as many bags of potato chips. Let's increase the obesity in Utah. Just what we need. I have

never lived in a state where there are so many fat people. What are THEIR health risks costing us?

Hey Gov, why don't you levy a hefty tax on all of the overweight Utahns?

Or levy a hefty tax on the drivers of gas guzzling mini vans and SUV's. They use up more than their share of fossil

fuels and over pollute the air. They are not environmentally friendly - just look out your window and see the nasty

air they have created up and down the I-15 corridor.

You and your supporters don't want to pay for smokers' health issues. Well I don't want to pay for FAT Utahns'

health issues!

And I don't like the mini van and SUV drivers nastying up the air I breathe.

So what are you going to do about THEM?

How can you claim that smokers are any worse than FAT Utahns and SUV air polluters???

Mahershalalhashbaz | 10:24 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I think it's a great idea if it would work. I'm all for it anyway, food tax will be gone. But it won't work because smokers can quite easily get their smokes from the internet or from other states. They'll just buy a year supply when they are out of town.

imasuperDOTcom | 11:16 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I'm a 25 year old conservative, LDS person in Utah.

And I think this idea stinks. Consider what's happening:
The majority of people in Utah are contributing to a necessary tax via food purchases. People who don't purchase food in Utah are exempt from the *burden* of whatever this tax is paying for.

Governor Huntsman's proposal to raise a $0.70 tax to $3.00 to relieve the majority of Utah from this tax is really unfair. Smoker or not, he's talking about taking a responsibility that all utahns have, and placing that burden solely on smokers. Weak sauce Governor Huntsman.

Health tas for all | 4:37 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This is a ludicrous plan, if the governor want a health tax then make every one pay a health tax. And even make it adjustable to the number of people in a family. Add it to the state income tax returns. Utah is already at the bottom of the list for annual income so lets tax us some more. Sales tax on food is only paid by those that don't qualify for welfare or receive subsistance from the state. But using a cigarette tax to blame and force it on a few is unfair taxation and without representation. Smokers are not the cause of everyones health issues, its everything else in enviornmnet, diet, and air quality. So why are only the smokers being considered the source of everybody that gets sick? I wish government would get off this vendetta of punishing smokers with excessive taxation. Health taxes should be paid by every person living in Utah, even the illegals. If the governor wants to make up some shortfalls then he should start eforcing income tax revenues from illegals and their employers. I'm tired of the fraud and tax evasion that business is using to employ illegals.

L. Clayton | 5:18 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

When I used to smoke, I was standing at the trax station, just outside the platform, where you are supposed to smoke and a woman walked by and happily said "Thank you for standing here!". I assumed that she had meant that it was nice that a smoker had enough courtesy to follow the clearly posted rules as she knew that most smokers were not that great of people, but she was letting me know that I was one of the good ones. But when you assume you well.. you know. So I just responded: "It's no problem, Gotta stand somewhere!"

I kind of doubt that most Deseret News readers will understand my point but if you do, thanks! You're one of the good ones!

Paul | 6:11 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This is a positive step for Utah, I would like to know whether Utah puts cancer images caused by smoking on the cigarette packets or places cigarettes under the shop counters out of the view of children?

Meri | 6:23 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

No, Cri's comment is NOT a good one! We all benefit from good schools, whether we realize it or not. The kids in school today may be the ones who find a cure for cancer or develp ways to produce more food more cheaply or find ways to stop global warming. They may become the doctors who save your life or that of those of your children or grandchildren. They may become world leaders who find ways to establish peace among warring nations.

Good schools help the economy. New companies examine the quality of area schools when deciding where to be based or where to move. Home buyers look at the quality of schools when deciding where to buy.

Good schools help build a community spirit and bring people together. They create a spirit of local pride that spreads throughout the community and helps create pride in homes and other establishments, thereby upgrading the environment.

Good schools have an enormous impact on the lives of ALL of us, whether we have kids in schools or not.

Ralph | 7:18 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Yeah, there are a lot of health problems associated with obesity, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't work on any other public health issues until that is solved. The fewer people who smoke the healthier we will all be.

utah rose | 7:37 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

As an ex smoker for 20 years, I would have quite earlier but the people in this state, despite what they say, don't believe this is a health issue, it's a moral issue because THEY are not allowed to smoke.

The same thing with drinking. None of this bloviating will make a smoker quit or a drunk stop drinking. And if people want to smoke they will buy them from out of state or pay the tax. You can't stop until you have the motivation to do that, and the doctors SHOULD know it.

Sure put a tax on the cigarettes, but it should go to the schools, and when I mean schools, I mean to the kids, teachers, books not to the administrators who know nothing.

And some have a point. There are many obese people in the state so tax all of the soft drinks and snacks, but let the food alone.

What a stupid idea | 7:38 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Taxing cigarettes in order to make it prohibitively expensive to smoke.

The natural result will be people quitting, which will lower the tax revenues.

Does anyone here really believe the state will just let that money go and not try to make it up elsewhere?

Scott | 8:04 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I would be in favor of eliminating cigarette or smokers tax ONLY if smokers were NOT eligible for medicare or medicaid.

Smoking is just plain stupid. I am tired of paying escalating costs of medicare and medicaid for people who do stupid things. SMOKING and SECOND HAND SMOKE causes more medical problems, costs than anything else.

Tobacco company executives are great examples of modern day evil. They knowingly added addictive subtances to their product. If our politicians today had any gonads, they would make the practice of selling addictive substances illegal except by presciption.... Oh we already have that for controlled substances, since tobacco is addictive and harmful, why isn't it a controlled substance like the painkiller Loritab??? Easy answer - tobacco companies put money in our elected officials pockets... I guess the evil aspect is contagious.

Fantastic Plan | 8:10 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

As a physician who works to help people kick the tobacco habit daily, I support any initiative (or tax) that disincentivizes smoking.
Regardless of the food tax, or whether this will help the state financially, there will be great benefits from raising the tax.

Most smokers hate the idea, and that's great! It's great because smoking is a tough habit to quit and most smokers I have helped quit needed something strong to motivate them (death of a loved one, diagnosis of cancer or heart disease, children with severe asthma). A hefty cost will help!

I know there are many people in denial about the ill effects of smoking, but I see them daily, and they are a horrible burden on smokers first, their families second, and last of all society.

Tobacco related diseases cost each Utah and each American citizen hundreds of dollars per year.

We all bear the burden of tobacco use.

When you look at longevity statistics, the #1 thing an individual can do to have a long life is to Never Smoke (or quit smoking to extend lifespan). The #2 is to exercise for 30min daily.

Raise the tax!

forget fireworks and casinos | 8:10 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Smoke shops in all the border towns surrounding Utah will soon be where the real money is.

Dave | 8:08 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I think it is just a stick in the eye of our new President.

Anonymous | 8:20 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Smoking is a scientifically unjustifable and unnecessary luxury. Eating is a biological necessity. Transportation is also a necessity. Obesity, while a serious health problem, is one that must be dealt with differently than smoking. People need to eat to live...they do not need to smoke. The same goes for transportation. You need to get to work and home, etc.; you do not need to rot your lungs out and get cancer. The ultimate aim of the tax should not be to raise revenue, but to eliminate smoking to as great a degree as possible. Those who go out of state for tobacco should report the purchase. If they don't they face penalties in an audit. To the commentor who said there are more fat people in Utah, I bet you've never been to the South! Smoking is ridiculous and indefensible. It causes nothing but pain, loss and suffering in the long run. People who are imprudent enough to continue in such a bad habit deserve to pay for the ills it unnecessarily wreaks upon others in society (including increasing health-care costs for everyone).

jumipin' jack | 8:21 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Governor, Why not put the tax burden on the lobbyists? They have deep enough pockets. I say go for it, maybe one day regular citizens won't have to pay any taxes.

Hefty Smurf | 8:23 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

If the smell, stains, and cancer aren't stopping people from smoking, the taxes won't. This is just a way for government to get more money. The next thing will be saturated fats, sugar, or any other thing that is deemed "unhealthy." I do not think taxes should be used to modify behavior. I do not think that is the governments job. Big government = bad; personal choice = good.

Obama smokes | 8:24 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Being President is a tough job. Is Mr. Obama tough enough to quit smoking?

We should be taxing stupidty. Let's start with all politicians who contribute nothing but lies, double talk, and one economic disaster after another.

BCS | 8:31 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

why doesn't Huntsman take the new CNG tax and use that money to eliminate the food tax?
I would sure like to know where that tax money is going and how it benefits all of Utah's citizens.

A tax on stupid people | 8:39 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

People who run up our health costs, pollute the air around us, and waste money on tobacco should pay more. It's a tax on stupid people! Great idea!

Governments job | 8:44 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

All of you are missing the point.
It's a politicians job to reward and punish behaviour they disagree with or don't approve of.
The tax code is thousands upon thousands upon thousands of paper which simply reward and punish individuals and corporations.
This smoking tax can be applied to any other tax imposed on the taxpayer. We're all so busy arguing with each other, everbody forgets it's politicians local, state, and federal that are flat out destroying America at an alarming rate.
Politicians, especially the ones that have been around for a few years are the scum of the earth.
Americans would be far better off to stop arguing with each other and place that righteous indignation squarely where it belongs. Today's politician's.

Anti-Smoking | 9:11 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Wow, this sure is bothering a lot of smokers! GOOD!!! You're wrong, Utah Rose, we DO see this as a health issue rather than a moral issue. Paint it however you want, but I am fed up and SICK of being exposed to second- and third-hand smoke, and any incentive to decrease the number of smokers in Utah rises to the very top of my list. Smokers belong to one of the most self-centered groups around. Stop whining about your so-called rights and stop infringing on mine!!

To: BCS Where taxes go | 9:19 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The taxes will go right they belong! In the Govenments "rainy day fund".
A tax surplus is every hack's dream afterall, they need it more than you do. So quit whining and just keep paying your taxes.

Government by the people, for the government.

lowonoil | 9:37 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

A tax on stupid people | 8:39 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009
"People who run up our health costs, pollute the air around us, and waste money on tobacco should pay more. It's a tax on stupid people! Great idea!"

Replace the word "tobacco" with "gasoline" and it would express my feelings toward gasoline taxes and exurban power commuters and thier 20+ mile single occupant vehicle commutes.

BCW | 9:40 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I am not a smoker, but this type of tax, which is promoted as a deterrent to smoking, is actually taking advantage of an addiction and using that addiction to collect monies for the state. So both the tobacco companies and the governments make money off of the 2nd most addictive drug. Hypocrisy?

Good For Obama | 9:48 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

He's just doing his part to support children's health insurance plans.

More smokers! It's for the children!

starr | 9:57 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

to Utah Rose... THEY CHOOSE not to smoke. THEY have their free agency too. Therefore some of THEM do smoke!

let's all be grown ups | 10:07 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Shall we?

Utahns have some painfully flawed logic.

If we outlaw gay marriage then people will stop being gay.

If we tax cigarettes stratospherically then people will stop smoking.

You do something we think is harmful and so we're going to make you stop.

George Orwell, you ain't seen nothin yet.

People can and do quit every day | 10:11 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

To those who claim that it taxes an addiction......yes, it does, however, this is an addiction that can be tamed! People quit every day!

The best consequence of very expensive tobacco is the reduction in TEENAGE and ADOLESCENT smoking and preventing future smokers.

On a different note, I don't like smoking, but smokers are NOT "stupid people". Most people started smoking at an age when all of us were "stupid" or at least lacked any foresight in life---teenage years. It became an addiction for many at that time (though most teenagers feel invincible and believe they are not addicted). It's not kind nor fair to label smokers as "stupid people".

Raise the tax and then reach out a hand of support to your friends who smoke to help them quit!

For all I care, spend the money on smoking cessation and prevention courses.

landgrabber | 10:21 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I started smokeing when it was a cool thing to do,those of you who are old enough will remember Franklin D Rosevelt with his long filter with a cigarett in it and the movies with actors smokeing,so when i started i thought it was ok,well after seeing my father in law die an awful death with cancer,he was a heavy smoker.I myself have had three heart atactks and two open heart surgeries since 1980,i now have cogestive heart failure,so if the tax raises money or saves a life or suffering i say PUT THE TAX ON and take it off food which we need and the tobacco which we don't need.

KVC | 10:24 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I am a physician and have to treat smokers everyday. The fact is smoking is the biggest contributor to disease in this country. It leads to a greater proportion of healthcare costs than any other issue by far, including obesity. Smokers in general are also less productive at work since they want to take regular smoke breaks.
Smoking leads to disability at early ages and people needing public medical and financial assistance due to the disability. This puts a financial burden on the government to pay for all of this. When you start to add up the cost of treating smokers medical problems it is enormous. And it almost seems that smoking is a risk factor for about every disease and cancer.
Another point is that a much greater percentage of individuals on medicaid smoke than on private insurance. I say that from experience in my patient population from the day I started medical school.
It is somewhat ironic that many individuals are poor enough to be on medicaid, welfare, food stamps, WIC and other government programs, but still manage to be able to afford cigarettes. Shouldn't cigarettes be sacrificed to pay for necessities first?

40 yr. smoker | 10:34 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I have lived in this state my whole life, (55 yrs.) and I have never seen so many busbodies who want to control others lives. To me, this isn't so much about smoking, but about gov't. trying to RAISE MORE REVENUE on the backs of others. Gov't must learn to live with the revenue it has, not raise more on the backs of people who THEY consider to be health risks.

I smoke, have bought health insurance for 38 yrs. and I KNOW I don't use MY insurance near as much as other people.
The gov't can't stop me from smoking, no matter how hard they try. The do gooders are so obnoxious with the anti-smoking message that I WON'T BE TEMPTED TO QUIT SIMPLY TO SPITE THEM.
I consider it my civic duty to pay whatever taxes are owed by me, but if they raise cig. taxes again I will simply buy them through the mail or drive out of state.
BTW - can anyone tell me a good reason NOT to raise the revenue from soda pop tax?
Besides being POLITICALLY INCORRECT!!

Tax em | 11:00 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I feel no sorrow for those who have to pay an increased cigarette tax. Smoking is definitely not a necessity, and I believe, as has been the case in most places, a higher tax will decrease the number of smokers, especially among children.
I cannot believe there is anyone who started smoking in the past 30-years or so that did not know that tobacco was harmful to their health. They made a conscience decision to start with this knowledge. If smokers will agree to never accept any govt healthcare or financial benefits including medicare, food stamps, welfare, SSI disability related to smoking issues, WIC, etc. I am okay with forgoing a tobacco tax. But they also have to agree to never smoke around anyone under the age of 18 as well.
As for LDS people considering it a moral issue, that is untrue. The Word of Wisdom has always been a health code. Just because it was instituted long before scientists knew smoking was bad does not change that fact. God knew it was bad a long time ago.

C.W. | 11:09 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

REALLY dopey idea!
When I write my state representative regarding this issue, I will ask him the following:
WHY can't gov't learn to run on the revenue stream it has in place?
IF they need a new tax why can't they make EVERYONE pay?
IF smokers are a high health risk, please identify the others. (motorcycle riders, overweight folks, hypochondriacs, etc).
WHY do illegals get FREE healthcare?
WHY is there not a tax on soda pop?

WHY do doctors determine the fiscal policy of the state? Will PHYSICIANS benefit from the "new" revenue stream? (follow the money)!!

But first and foremost: when we live in a conservative state, why can't we act like conservatives and LIMIT government, not try, by whatever means, to control others!

Your is mine | 11:08 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Let's end the debate and just fork over every penny of your income to Huntsman and the federal government.. Let THEM decide who deserves how much, how little, what and when you should have it. That's where headed anyway.

Most of you don't understand this isn't about smoking. It's about the absolute corruption of the tax code and the purpose of taxes in the first place. Taxes are to fund the LEGITIMATE purposes of the Government. Smoker or non-smoker, who elected Huntsman to determine what he believes is bad behaviour or good behaviour and how he intends to correct it through the force of taxation?

What kind of activity are you currently engaged in? Better be careful, you could be the next target.

HSFAN | 11:13 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This tax doesn't even begin to cover the costs associated with shortages for healthcare amongst Smokers!

Get real Huntsman! RAISE THE TAX TO $50/Pack!

Matter of Fact | 11:20 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Face it...Smoking is a choice. You choose to smoke then you choose to stink, ruin your health, and place a burden on everyone around you that has to smell you and your smoke. You don't get to choose what the consequences are for the choices you make. Not to mention the excessive burden your poor health places on your employer, family, and eventually the government (if you live that long). That places an unnecessary burden on everyone. Those of us that don't smoke are subject to your "freedom" to smoke. Where 's the fairness in that? We were all born with the need to breath. None of us were born with the need to smoke.

I think the plan is a step in the right direction but is too short-sighted. We should be looking to a long-term plan to eliminate smoking completely.

There are other health issues to be dealt with, but none are as corruptive and self-destroying as smoking, except for perhaps alcoholism.

Anonymous | 11:48 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Obesity will kill more people than smoking and according to the stats it effects about 50% of the population. Tax the bejeemies out of soda pop, chips, cookies, beef, and Ice-Cream.

What kind of conservatism? | 11:59 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I am a non-smoker, and I think smoking is an absolutely awful practice, one that cost my Dad his health years ago. However, I am having a hard time figuring out how this can be seen as a good idea.

Sure, smoking negatively influences your health, but since when did it become okay in a (theoretically) conservative state to use tax policy to force people to do the right thing? Do conservatives now believe that it is okay for the government to protect people from themselves? I thought that was what liberals did, not conservatives.

If there is a burden on taxpayers due to increased health costs, then change Medicaid laws to require additional patient co-pays for smoking-related problems, or something like that.

I am having trouble seeing this as anything other than a wealth transfer from smokers (the minority in this state) to non-smokers (the majority). Can it be that Utah Republicans are the same as the liberals they claim to oppose, but instead of picking the rich as the group that gets shaken down, they pick the smokers?

Soda Pop Tax | 12:07 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I am LDS and as much as I think smoking is a poor choice by those who do it--I am against this tax. Huntsman would do better by keeping the food sales tax and maybe a tax on soda pop, since Utahns seem to be addicted to the stuff. Nothing like stopping at a light and seeing someone in the car next to you tipping back a 64 oz refillable mug of soda pop. If the state got a quarter everytime it happened, maybe the teachers would get a pay raise with the mass increase of funds generated.

BK | 12:30 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I quit smoking about six months ago after the convenience stores raised their prices on my brand of cigarettes to over $5 bucks a pack. I could not afford $60 a week to put gas in my car and $35 a week to smoke. I'm glad I quit and others can (and will) too. Too bad economics, not a smoking cessation program was the main driver for me to quit.

Iï¿½m grateful gas went down in price and that I quit smoking. These two things were the only way I could afford to pay for Christmas for my family this year.

I do feel like this tax is unfair and discriminatory to smokers. Taxing an addiction is wrong - smokers already pay a lot to smoke.

I am continually loosing faith in my country. We keep making ridiculous laws (smoking laws, sin taxes, the war on drugs, the right for homosexuals to get married, wars in other countries, etc) and bury our heads in the sand on the real issues (healthcare, poverty, education, economy, etc. I hope we can turn it around before it gets too late. Canada is looking like a great country to live in now.

wallofvoodoo | 12:40 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

In a state with very few smokers & where at least half the state is LDS, nobody can point a finger about the current tax on cigarettes. Less than 70 cents is a bargain compared with a lot of states.

Doing this would be a step in the right direction. Cigarettes are not nescessary to live, food is. A food tax is regressive & needs to be done away with.

I think everybody in the state would be happy if nobody in the state paid a tobacco tax because there were no tobacco sales. It would be revenue well lost & everybody would be happier & healthier.

chris | 12:53 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

This is stupid. People smoke because they are ADDICATED. Thuis Extra tax will just leave poor people with less money to by groceries for their kids. People that are addicated to smokes will still by them.

Don't Forget | 12:57 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Everyone who is complaining that this is a republican, conservative idea to control your behavior is forgetting that Utah (a republican, conservative state) have one of the lowest cigarette tax rates in the country. NYC, the liberal haven of the world, is $4.25!

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