Smoke ‘em if you can afford ‘em ($10 per carton tax increase)

The Somerset Daily American ^ | March 12, 2009 | Rick Kazmer

[guitarplayer1953]

It is basically stating that there will be a confederate of nations that want to cut off Israel and will invade and be cut off it is the beginning of the end.

[Drew68]

I also agree that no smokers at all would be a super huge reduction in health care costs so the fewer there are the better.

This is debatable. For most of us, the bulk of our health care costs will be incurred during the last two years of our lives. Doesn't matter if we are 18 and dying of leukemia, 55 and dying of lung cancer or 90 and dying of heart disease.

One thing about all these non smokers who retire at 65 and live healthily for another 20+ years is that they're not only racking up routine medical costs associated with aging but they're collecting a lot more social security and pension checks than their smoking counterparts who had the good nature to die earlier. And as far as medical costs go, lung cancer is pretty cheap to treat. Give the patient pain killers, make them comfortable and help them find peace in their final days. That's really about it.

[diverteach]

I used to get a cup of coffee in the morning along with my smokes. That was until tuesday when I suffered sticker shock. The coffee had to go.

I’ll quit on my own terms if and when I want to. I’ll be damned if the government is going to force me to quit. F’em!

BTW, since I’m paying more taxes as a smoker to fund a health program, can’t I deduct my cigarettes as healthcare?
I’m just sayin’ LOL

[muggs]

A new federal tax recently approved by President Obama has increased cigarette carton prices by more than $10 - about 75 cents a pack.

Wouldn't 75 cents a pack be $7.50 a carton, not $10.00 a carton.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Yes, the math is a little off, but the article was probably written by a journalism school graduate.

[ApplegateRanch]

That increase is 3X the .25/pack I sold them for, INCLUDING taxes, when I was young, stupid, and worked at a discount SERVICE—not gas—station. (Pump gas, wash windshield, other windows, and head & tail light lenses; [’check’ wiper blades, to try to sell new ones]; check oil, radiator, other fluids; check air pressure, tout service bay & tire specials....)

[Lucky9teen]

U.S. Rep. John Murtha voted for the tax to help bring health care to 11 million children, including 227,000 in Pennsylvania, according to a prepared statement from his office.

[Graybeard58]

A new federal tax recently approved by President Obama has increased cigarette carton prices by more than $10 - about 75 cents a pack.

There are 10 packs in a carton - the math doesn't work.

[This_far]

Do it for the ... chilren: (SCHIPS theme song)

Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!(That Cigarette)
Now I’m a fellow with a heart of gold
And the ways of a gentleman I’ve been told
Kind-of-a-guy that wouldn’t even harm a flea

full verse http://www.tobacco.org/History/Smoke_Cigarette.html

[Graybeard58]

No Conservative would support this tax

Agree and I don't smoke.

[tomkat]

No conservative should support sticking his f’n nose in other peoples’ use of a (for now) legal commodity.

[Be_Politically_Erect]

Interesting information.

I just have one question: What does your Mom say about how it tastes?

[phatus maximus]

Hey, just between you and me...don't tell anyone that I get my smokes tax free from Cuba...ha, ha, ha, ain't being Prez grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! I love it!!!

[phatus maximus]

Hey, just between you and me...don't tell anyone that I get my smokes tax free from Cuba...ha, ha, ha, ain't being Prez grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat! I love it!!!

[Integrityrocks]

I respectfully considered your position until you wrote:

“And as far as medical costs go, lung cancer is pretty cheap to treat. Give the patient pain killers, make them comfortable and help them find peace in their final days. That’s really about it.”

Clearly you haven’t gone through this hell from early to late stage to death with anyone or you wouldn’t say that.

As for the elderly’s health care; can’t argue that, and never have been a fan of covering all their costs, but let’s not start penalizing people for making it to old age.

[Woodman]

No one Conservative or Liberal should support sin taxes. It is a holier than thou approach that will eventually come back and bite you on the arse when they get to your particular sin.

[KarinG1]

A new federal tax recently approved by President Obama has increased cigarette carton prices by more than $10 - about 75 cents a pack.

I don't even smoke cigarettes and I know that there are ten packs in a carton. Ten times 75¢ is less than ten dollars, not more.

[thecabal]

Having dealt with retail sales, I completely believe him. Let’s face it, the average person doesn’t keep up on what the government is doing to him, nor does he have any desire to.

[napscoordinator]

Good....Less kids will become addicted. No conservative should support smoking.

Oh those pesky freedoms. I guess you don’t advocate personal responsibility like a true conservative. I never saw you write liberal before. This is very new and disappointing. Next I guess you will advocate doing away with sweets, baked goods, fast food, guns and alcohol all of which would be for good of the children as is your trademark (at least in your last post).

[thecabal]

Another “Progressive Republican”, huh?