Cops fear menthol ban will spark black market boom

CNBC ^ | 09/12/13 | Dan Mangan

[RKBA Democrat]

The unofficial economy gets another boost.

Mission Accomplished.

[2ndDivisionVet]

In 1966 I was in first grade at Walnut Avenue Elementary.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Pack. Supply and demand.

[elkfersupper]

In case nobody noticed, there already is a huge black market for cigarettes of any stripe.

When robberies happen at convenience stores, they don't even bother with the cash drawer, they go for the cigarettes.

At least we could sit in a bar, smoke and drink during the formation of this nation and the last depression.

Not any more.

[5th MEB]

E-3; L/cpl in 68 equaled 92 dollars a month. I thought I was rich.

[Gabz]

At least we could sit in a bar, smoke and drink during the formation of this nation and the last depression.

Not any more.

You still can where I live.

[Bob]

OK. Point taken. My father was 2nd Division in WWII. I grew up going to annual reunions all over the country as a kid.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Some people here assume I was in the Marines and think it’s a reference to the 2ndMarDiv. My dad was a career Marine so I didn’t want to see the same places all over again. Plus, promotion is quicker in the Army.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Hmmmm. A menthol cigarette ban = disparate impact on black people. Therefore . . .

Nanny State PING!

[Hot Tabasco]

Pack. I think I made more money from that than I did from my pay while there. I was making $397/month when I enlisted. They carried Kool and Salem but not Newport over there

I spent time in Korea and dispute your claim about Newports. And as a side note, there wasn't a soldier I ever met who would have paid $20 for a pack of cigs, let alone who could have afforded it..........or hashish or marijuana for that matter.

[BwanaNdege]

http://www.navycs.com/charts/1967-military-pay-chart.html
(pay raise end of June 68)

Jan 68 E-1 $88/Month
Mar 68 E-2 $106/Month
?Jul 68 E-3 $113/Month
?Oct 68 E-3 $137/Month
?May 69 E-4 $190/Month

Plus $7 Overseas Pay and $66 Combat Pay.

Wheeee! I’m RICH!

[2ndDivisionVet]

When did you serve there?

[Bob]

That’s funny, I had always assumed Second Infantry Division. Of course, I was raised on ‘Second to None’ and indian heads. :=) Reunion headquarters were always in room 2-2-0. As kids, it was easier to remember that room number than whatever one we were staying in.

[The Antiyuppie]

Is there ANYTHING that the government won’t get involved with? I mean, if they had ANY honesty, they would just ban smoking. Of course, it pays taxes, and additionally, keeps life expectancy down, so that more can be spent on food stamps.

[elkfersupper]

You still can where I live.

Um-kay.

Just a word to the wise. If you're actually drinking in a bar these days, be sure that you have no access to any car keys.

[Hot Tabasco]

When did you serve there?

TDY, 1971

[traditional1]

I was holed up in Thule AFB, Greenland, in 1966.

[SoFloFreeper]

[2ndDivisionVet]

I was there in 1978-79 and 1981-82. G-2, I Corps at Camp Red Cloud the first time, 102nd MI Bn., 2nd Infantry Division at Camps Hovey and Casey the second time.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Ouch.