Congress aims to put out cigarettes

[AFA]

WASHINGTON - Congress is taking new whacks at the cigarette industry, banning tobacco sales in Senate buildings and — more importantly — seeking a significant federal tax increase on cigarettes.

The industry, once a lobbying behemoth, is quietly working against the tax bill. But it lacks the clout it once wielded.

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Just as a side point, (and I haven't looked into this), the tobacco industry says in another biased and tricky statement;

Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest cigarette maker, sponsors a Web site, mailings and a toll-free number urging people to ask Congress to sustain Bush's veto. "Taxing smokers is unfair," the materials say, adding that states have increased sales taxes on cigarettes 73 times since 2000.

73 increases in 7 years sounds like a lot until you realize there are 50 states, so they have averaged only 1 increase each every 5 years.

Another notable point;

House and Senate negotiators are trying to craft a veto-proof version of the bill. President Bush says he would veto it because it calls for a 61 cents-per-pack increase in the federal excise tax on cigarettes, taking it to $1.

I guess he doesn't think taxing cigarette companies to death is a good idea? :dunno: