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Yep, them Indians are quite the entrepeneurs. If you're interested, there was a story on the whole cigarette thing on 60 Minutes a few months ago.
When the tax level hits a critical upper value (i.e., perhaps $3 tax has no effect but a $6 tax shows a sharp decrease), there is most definitely a net effect. I'll tell you one thing -- increasing cigarette taxes won't *increase* the number of smokers.
I could care less if the primary goal of the cigarette tax was to cover the budget shortfalls, so long as the secondary goal is worthy -- and encouraging people to quit a habit that is killing them and costing our health care system billions is certainly worthy.
PS - You take the point of view that taxes 'punish' smokers... I believe it's us helping them help themselves.
When the tax level hits a critical upper value (i.e., perhaps $3 tax has no effect but a $6 tax shows a sharp decrease), there is most definitely a net effect. I'll tell you one thing -- increasing cigarette taxes won't *increase* the number of smokers.
I could care less if the primary goal of the cigarette tax was to cover the budget shortfalls, so long as the secondary goal is worthy -- and encouraging people to quit a habit that is killing them and costing our health care system billions is certainly worthy.
PS - You take the point of view that taxes 'punish' smokers... I believe it's us helping them help themselves.
Originally posted by daisygirl
All right since I am anal, I have to reply...
The Indians are keeping up with technology; the Indians sell their product on the internet and that is where people are buying their cigarettes. People don't have to drive
I care what politicians do since I am an active participant in our democracy. I am also not a big fan of punishing a minority group (ie. smokers) via taxes in order to fill a budget gap that is, in part, due to the fiscal abuse perpertated (sp?) by those very same politicians.
