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.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071110/ap_on_go_co/tobacco_tax

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:

 

[suck_my_cock]

too bad for the smoker

 

[Legzman]

I speak for all smokers when I say:
FUCK THAT!!!

 

[KungFuDude]

They're bad for you. Makes your lungs all dirty.. dirty dirty.. like a whore!

 

[Will E Worm]

This will only hurt the working class and the poor. This isn't a good idea.

They need to lower the tax if they do anything.

If they want to raise the taxes on anything it should be luxury items. But, that might hurt the wealthy and politician's friends and families. So, they won't do that.

 

[Will E Worm]

Another thing. If they lowered the tax to what it used to be in 2000, it would help the economy. Which we need right now. With the falling dollar, rising oil prices, and general failing of the economy.

 

[Dean Wormer]

I think it sucks that they are always fucking with a product that is legal. If they feel so strongly about cigarettes then make them illegal. (Of course that won't stop people from using them).

 

[ChefChiTown]

I think it's funny that the government will put insanely high taxes on only certain products that are bad for us but they'll leave the rest alone. I'm not a smoker, but a pack of cigarettes here in Chicago is probably $6 or $7, yet, I can get a McDonald's double cheeseburger for 99 cents. :dunno:

 

[dick van cock]

yet, I can get a McDonald's double cheeseburger for 99 cents. :dunno:

I want to see you smoke a cheeseburger...

As long as cigarettes kill more people than guns do, it's perfectly alright to indirectly ban smoking...

Wait till Nancy Pelosi will tax your guns, you signatories to the Constitution!


{Ru Paul for President!!!}

 

[D-rock]

The idea of using taxes as nothing more than a method of stopping people from doing something has never been something I liked.

 

[anomaly]

Congress isn't trying to stop shit! The tobacco industry makes this country billions each year and they not going to stop that money from entering the economy. This is just another right-wing bullshit moves to make it look the government "cares" about your health.