Comments about ‘Tobacco tax to hit those who can least afford it’

You know, i just cannot muster up the pity for our smoking friends. Statistics show that for every cent that a pack of smokes go up, a sizeable portion of smokers do in fact quit. I am sick of paying higher medical premiums for my health care to care for a minority segment of selfish, foolhardy smokers, who continue to kill themselves and other non-smokers as well. I have even greater hatred for "big tobacco." The madness has got to stop now! This is a good start.

I'm a smoker, and have been for over 55 years. I get sick and tired of being a scapegoat for everything. I'll have to pay the increased price, so I will, but this has increased my hatred and despite for those who persecute me for all the shortcomings of society.

I'm glad they are adding more taxes to cigarettes. People need to stop this deadly habit. If they can barely afford to live, how are they affording cigarettes?

It's us non-smokers that are to be pitied.

WE are the ones who lie to ourselves to justify bullying those least able to protect themselves from us.

WE are the ones stealing from their children.

WE are the ones being snookered by cynical legislators who can't get their story straight about their reasons for enacting this most regressive and "grievous to be borne" of all taxes. If the tax has the effect legislators claim they're after, there'll be no revenue reaped from the tax and we'll still be in a deficit situation.

In short, WE are the ones who have sold our souls and engaged in oppression of a powerless minority.

WE -- and the state legislature -- are the liars, cheats, and thieves that have need of begging smokers and their families for forgiveness.

I'm glad they did this. For one, if smokers are already barely getting by, why do they still spend a lot of money to smoke? We already know the answer is because of addiction, but they should get over it. They got themselves into it, and we are more than willing to help them overcome it. Secondly, since nobody is forced to buy it, they only become targets of the new tax by moving themselves into the cross hairs.

Smoking is evil. Bottom line. There is nothing wrong with this sin tax; no benefit comes from smoking, so anything to discourage it is great.

Cry me a river. These poverty stricken people somehow manage to come up with money for their smokes. My Dad smoked. The kids went without a lot of basic needs, but there was always money for smokes and booze. Personally, I'm also sick of their stench.

It's a sin tax put in place to discourage the bad habit, as well as to make a little profit. It is a good sign when things that are wrong are restricted by law: it shows that the moral compass is still working. Stealing is also wrong, as is violence, and both are punishable by law. Smoking is wrong. All it does is destroy the smoker's budget and health and destroys the health of those nearby (the biggest thing, in my opinion, since even non-smokers are directly affected negatively). And don't call smokers a powerless minority. Although they are addicted, they can overcome it, especially with help.

It's interesting that the article points out that a higher percentage of the poor or less affluent smoke. One way that could be taken is that they would also be more likely to be on medicaid or some other form of publicly subsidized health care.

What is charged in taxes on tobacco products comes nowhere close to covering what taxpayers in general pay to cover the impacts of tobacco on medical costs.

Smokers made the choice to start their unhealthy and expensive habit. And in my view, they need to take more responsibility for their choice - and how their choice negatively impacts other taxpayers and society.

Yes, it is very hard to quit - I have many friends who have tried countless times. The best advise - don't try that first cigarette. And if higher prices cause a reduction in smoking, or results in some smokers smoking less, that is a very good thing for both them and society in general.

Have some integrity. This is bad public policy irrespective of the subject.

I hope that there does not come a time when the sanctimonious non-smokers find themselves without a voice in a society in which the voice of the majority, for the "good of society", trumps a powerless minority. But it could happen. Oh wait, it has happened...remember?

But for now, all is well in Zion.

Well said Lee. Make no mistake. We are taxing an addicted population. Some of the lowest income people in the state.

This tax will take food out of their mouths. There is a moral component to this tax where we need to ask ourselves if its moral to tax those addicted and least able to afford it.

Shame on legislators for passing the tax. I'm sure they must feel great inflicting this kind of pain on those who may not have any choice in the matter. (Its easy to say they'll quit if you've never seen someone addicted to nicotine).

It's really heard to listen to the complaining of the smokers. Raising the price of cigarettes has been shown to reduce the number of teens who smoke, and thus saves them from a life of addiction. Stopping is not impossible, sometimes people have to take responsibility for their own destructive habits.

bad for a different reason. Taxes should never be used for social engineering, only to raise revenue.

I am not a smoker, and detest the smell, and know that it would be better if ALL smokers quit.

However, it is lunacy to try to balance the budget by raising taxes for revenue at the same time you claim it is "for their own good" to quit smoking. Next year they will want to raise it again because fewer people smoke and they need the money.

If the anti-tobacco people think it is so bad, just make cigarettes illegal.

If they need money, raise all taxes, or better yet STOP THE SPENDING!

I would like to see a "vice" tax on other products that would for sure generate more state income. Junk food is a big one. Candy and soda pop are addicting and lead to obesity which results in health problems, these days especially in children. Almost everyone consumes junk food. Tax that "vice" as well.

Well Ron, if you think YOUR health care costs are rising because of us smokers, then why do YOU as a non-smoker need the health care?

The doctors are gouging you in a volume industry and you are blaming the wrong people.

That's it. Anything we don't like or think is wrong can simply be taxed. When are we going to add $1.00 to a six pack of root beer or a carton of ice cream?
And it's your own fault if you eat that Big Mac and fries that we want to start taxing next year. We have no sympathy for you.

How many of you decrying the tax were at the Capitol to here the testimony of the health professionals about the dangers of smoking? Better yet, the testimony of the college age students who spoke out and said that if it cost more to smoke fewer young people would even start?

This is a good thing if only to keep young people from starting this nasty habit.

It's good to see the other side of the story printed in the D-News.

I chewed tobacco for 18 years, and quit. Yeah, you eat more when you quit tobacco, but only for awhile. Just drink more water, if you can. You can quit tobacco. If I did it, anyone can.

So tell us Ron, how are you going to die and how much will it cost me to foot your medical bills till you die? This perception of all the money people spend to cover smoker's illness is a false perception. Every one dies of something and almost everyone receives medical treatment to prevent death. Why not tax the obese? If anything, a smoker who dies prematurely will need fewer medical benefits in their lifetime than someone such as yourself Ron, who will probably need home hospice and eventually land in an old folks home. How much is that going to cost me?

You say: "This tax will take food out of their mouths (the smokers)." Ridiculous! IT'S THEIR CHOOSING TO KEEP SPENDING THEIR MONEY ON TOBACCO INSTEAD OF FOR ESSENTIAL FOOD that's the only thing taking "food out of their mouths". How hypocritical can you get, playing this pathetic (and totally unwarranted) role of the martyr???

Think, Bro--- who's the only one making you choose to spend your hard earned money on tobacco??

Gotta mirror?