Chad Cooper wrote:
> On a similar topic/rant......
>
> I am getting tired of hearing about all this talk about raising taxes on
> Cigarettes.
>
> The proponents of the tax hike states that they are raising taxes for the
> good of the smoker, as an incentive to quit, at the same time paying in
> advance for the all of the hospital care they encumber upon the state for
> their habit.
>
> I say this is total bullshit.
>
> If you take what they say to its logical conclusion, they want to decrease
> tax revenue by raising taxes, since so many smokers will quit, because it is
> such a great and glorious plan for the 'welfare' of the common smoker.
> They also are saying that smokers should "Smoke up, Jonny!" to do their part
> in subsidising the health care system. Do your patriotic duty and smoke one
> for Grandma - she needs a new hip.
>
> For once, I would like them to say.. "We are raising taxes because we know
> you smokin' fools out there will still continue to pay us 10-40 cents a day
> for the 'right' to smoke. We know you will attempt to 'preserve your right
> to smoke' and not quit lighting up those suckers! Please buy a lot of
> cigarettes, but die young and fast. It would really help the schools get new
> computers."
>
> Of course, I put my money where my mouth is and quit smoking days before the
> new tax hikes went into place. It still makes me mad though.
>
Our (Ca.) cigarette tax went to an ad campaign that has worked extremely well -
Check out: http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/casmoking
From the article:
"All this hard-hitting ad copy came about because of Proposition 99, passed by
California voters in 1988, despite a $22 million campaign by the tobacco
industry to defeat it. The measure increased the tax on cigarettes by 25 cents
per pack, raising $134 million annually, $45 million of which goes toward the
media campaign (The state also nets $22 million a year from the tobacco master
settlement to combat youth smoking.)
Since Prop 99 was passed, California's anti-smoking sentiments are even
stronger, garnering the state a reputation for having the toughest anti-smoking
laws in the country. State law bans smoking in most indoor workplaces, bars, and
restaurants. Local governments have passed ordinances that restrict smoking in
public buildings, public transit, and parks as well as near playgrounds. To
further discourage smoking, voters bumped up cigarette prices by 50 cents per
pack in 1999."
> If there is anyone who still smokes - please contact me offlist. The sooner
> you e-mail me, the sooner you will be able to quit (I know you want to....).
I'm an ex smoker. It took me ten years of quitting and starting again
(sneaking) but I finally kicked the nastiness some 10 years ago. To my great
chagrin, both my kids picked up the habit. My daughter, 24 next month has been
off for ~3 months now with help from a antidepressant prescribed by her doctor.
My 21 year old son, despite attempting to quit several times, is still hooked.
--
Doug
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.zo.com/~brighto
"Now people stand themselves next to the righteous
And they believe the things they say are true
They speak in terms of what divides us
To justify the violence they do"
Jackson Browne, It Is One
