Current Events > How do you feel about tax increases in things like tobacco?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Sin taxes I guess. Do you generally support them. I don't have any specific numbers or anything, but just general higher taxes for them than other things
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I smoke, but I'm against it because taxes are already so high and it's a pretty regressive tax.

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unless you pair it with free treatment plans for the addicted, all you're doing is burdening the victims of decades of lies from the tobacco industry and even the government.

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Were the revenue earmarked for mitigation of the 'sin', then this would make a hell of a lot of sense. As-is, it's just tossed into the general revenue pile, which can lead to fiscal crisis when the 'sin' is suddenly taxed to death or otherwise substantially declines.

Hexenherz posted...

and it's a pretty regressive tax

also this.

Tax dat and alcohol, and also make marijuana legal everywhere in da US no matter ehat da states decide
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It doesn't actually stop people smoking, just means poor people are poorer.

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V-E-G-Y- posted...

Tax dat and alcohol, and also make marijuana legal everywhere in da US no matter ehat da states decide

There we go. Cigarettes are out and vape is in. Every state with these forest fires should outlaw open-flame smoking of anything in public.

Funkydog posted...

It doesn't actually stop people smoking, just means poor people are poorer.

Rolling the sin-tax into general revenue means you aren't actually supposed to quit.
Instead, the end goal of any sin tax should be to make itself obsolete.

On one hand, smokers directly endanger me at times. On the other hand, I'm no stranger to the plight of addiction. Plus, ever since you stopped being able to smoke inside, smokers can't really force you into situations where you gotta put up with them. At this point, they're only as much of a nuisance as I am for smoking weed.

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im fine with it, i dont smoke

Lost_All_Senses posted...

Plus, ever since you stopped being able to smoke inside, smokers can't really force you into situations where you gotta put up with them.

The only places you're really allowed to smoke anymore are in your house or car - where your kids basically have to be.
Think about that.

Questionmarktarius posted...

The only places you're really allowed to smoke anymore are in your house or car - where your kids basically have to be.
Think about that.

True. I'm around decent people that don't do that. They either keep it to the basement or outdoors when kids are around. Sadly, we can't avoid parents fucking over their kids because they're entitled. Hopefully their kids find better role models and we don't end up with more of them.

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We will do literally anything in this country to avoid taxing the rich

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MrToothHasYou posted...

We will do literally anything in this country to avoid taxing the rich

France has several tales of what happens when you do.

It's wrong. It'd be like if the government taxed every hour you spent playing video games or taxing you for all the junk food you eat. Big brother should stay out of our personal lives.

With how much it contributes to healthcare costs and also affecting others, don't really care

Funkydog posted...

It doesn't actually stop people smoking

one of the major motivators for me to quit was that i was tired of spending $6/day to feel normal.

on topic: i support taxing tobacco if the funds are primarily used to treat the aftermath of its use.

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They shouldnt tax people with legit addictions so hard.

Destigmatize smoking and drinking addiction and set up safe "partaking" centers, where addicts can tend to their addictions in a safe controlled environment.

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ToPoPO posted...

With how much it contributes to healthcare costs and also affecting others, don't really care

Giant_Aspirin posted...

on topic: i support taxing tobacco if the funds are primarily used to treat the aftermath of its use.

This, make good use of the money.

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Prestoff posted...

This, make good use of the money.

We all know that wouldn't happen though

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I'm torn. One of you with addiction experience, tell me: you have money for food for a week, or half that food for enough cigs. Which do you go for?

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Taxing the fuck out of tobacco made me stop, I couldn't afford a pack a day - more if I was drinking

I switched to vaping and never looked back, the problem is that they pretty much banned the sale of equipment and juice flavors so I have to go 45 minutes to the next state over or make it myself (much, much cheaper than buying it.. $3 for a week of juice vs $17). There's basically no reason to smoke tobacco at this point since you can find something much cleaner, enjoyable, and customizable to literal taste. I always hated the smell of smoke on me but weirdly enough enjoyed someone else smoking it.. or a smokey room.. the health risks are just not worth it. It's like using a landline and only having a landline when you know very well you can save all your contacts, browse the innernette, and go portable to boot.

They should tax the fuck out of alchohol - that shit is the absolute worst and basically has 0 redemption value especially when you can just get high and laugh at whatever

This country would be swimming in money if they did that

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Evening_Dragon posted...

I'm torn. One of you with addiction experience, tell me: you have money for food for a week, or half that food for enough cigs. Which do you go for?

When I was there, cigs - you ever notice how junkies always have cigarettes and nothing else? Yeah. You can go on w/ empty stomach with them provided you have some form of substance to hold you over.

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Keep taxes high for items that get people sick like cigarettes. We end up having to pay for their healthcare in the end anyways.

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I'm a big fan of taxes so long as we spend them in ways that directly benefit the common man.

I think we need to target Big Tobacco rather than their customers though. They're legalized drug lords and disgusting scum.

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It depends

Excise taxes can be either ad valorem or specific. That means it can be levied based on price or quantity -- because of how much easier it was to count barrels or packs than track prices back in the day, most places do the latter even though it means the tax is more regressive and falls faster over time.

Another issue is where you levy the tax. Many places levy the taxes primarily between wholesalers and retailers. But if you want to dissuade the behavior, you ideally want it to show on the consumer side.

People have already mentioned questions over for the revenue is spent

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