It is much worse than you think, you just haven’t been paying attention.
US cigs are $5 a carton when not taxed. That is right, 50 cents a pack.
But a carton in NYC is $140. That is $135 in tax, or $13.50 a pack.
But wait - you pay for cigarettes with after-tax dollars - you already paid tax on the money.
38% federal income tax, 15 % FICA, 10% to NYS and NYC - that’s about 63% taxes you paid on the money you used to pay the cigarette taxes.
So you need to EARN $378, to buy a $5 product.
The other $373 is tax.
And Obama wants to raise it.
Well, why the heck not.
Smugglers need to make a living, too.
Seems like a person would save a lot of dough switching to marijuana, no?
“It is much worse than you think, you just haven’t been paying attention.”
Oh, I HAVE been paying attention. See post 48.
“Smugglers need to make a living, too.” Yep. Them terrorist groups ain’t gonna fund themselves, now are they?
” But a carton in NYC is $140 “
A pack in Tokyo costs $ 3 .