Posted by Cid95 on July 22, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Full disclosure: I hate smoking and associate with smokers as little as possible. Personally, I would be happy with $5/pack but this is America and these decisions are made by the legislature.

However, having said that, there is a story just a few down from this one about SC having a budget shortfall of $100mil - why are our cigarette taxes the lowest in the nation!

It's like if your lemonade stand is going out of business but you still sell the cheapest lemonade on the street.

Posted by dixiegrl98 on July 22, 2008 at 1:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL,thats a good one,I know a lot of smokers who are going to pay whatever it takes to get thiere cigarettes,it's not going to stop them from smoking if we go up on the taxes by a couple of cents,so why not use the extra money for the state?

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 22, 2008 at 2:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The State is hard up for revenue. Mostly because of out of control spending by the legislature and their sneeky earmarks to special interest and friends, or friends of friends.

Posted by vtsusa on July 22, 2008 at 3:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cid-Personally, I would be happy with $5/pack

Of course you would because as you said you hate smoking!

However what if they said they were going to raise the taxes on electric, gas, water, etc something that would affect a whole lot more people and raise even more money, sounds good, right??? Nope sure doesn't and yet hey that would be equitable to everyone.

Let the state clean up their act first and foremost and go on from there and leave smokers alone and stop trying to use them to cover for their shortfalls.

Posted by Cid95 on July 22, 2008 at 5:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

vtsusa - You read the first part of that sentence but didn't make it to the latter half? Repeat, just for you (try to make it to the end this time):

"Personally, I would be happy with $5/pack but this is America and these decisions are made by the legislature."

So, you could reasonably surmise my answer to your question from that, right? I would say that if the legislature decides to raise taxes electric (sic), gas, water, etc then we have no one to blame but ourselves because we elected the legislature.

Smokers are getting something for nothing. With the lowest taxes out of all 50 states in the union, we are obviously "below the market" and need to correct that so that smokers cover their share in SC as much as they do in other states. I would say the same about alcohol taxes, and that is something I do personally enjoy.

Posted by NativeSon on July 22, 2008 at 5:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Johns Island says smoke all you want any where you want - we do not care one iota about the health of our children. So go ahead and raise the tax to the California standard because we are going to need all the funds we can get to treat the associated major health issues which Johns Island will be forcing upon tax payers, otherwise.

PS: Add Irmo to that situation as well!

Posted by charlestonpride on July 22, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I quit smoking 11 years ago. Best thing I have ever done in my life. I had a smokers voice, smokers cough, my house stunk, my car stunk, my clothes stunk. I couldn't smell it because I couldn't smell! It took about six months to recover my "real" smelling abilities. I will never smoke again. It is extremely addictive.

Posted by moonpie on July 22, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Sanford, like other Republicans, supports a cigarette tax increase, but only if it is coupled with a tax decrease"
I want my tax decrease. Gov Mark makes sense don't raise and penalize one without giving an incentive to quit. If he wasn't there our Republican(smaller gov, give back to the people) majority house would use the tax to buy more votes. Republicans have lost their way. I swear beside the social issues you can't tell the two parties apart anymore.

Posted by ForPnC on July 22, 2008 at 6:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I buy my smokes at the Air Base. I'd rather pay the MWR fee than taxes.
So - go ahead and raise them, it won't bother me or the rest of current/prior military. If anything, you'll lose taxes by forcing more to go on base.

Posted by wpc3iop on July 22, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a smoker who has no problem with raising the tax on cigarettes...it would probably help me quit! I do however have a problem with using revenue to fund programs when you expect the revenue source to dry up. Has anyone ever seen government programs go away or seen government get smaller? What will happen is that the lost revenue will come from raising another tax or fee somewhere else. It never stops...The government cannot do everything, fix every problem, or support every person!

Posted by EvilGenius on July 22, 2008 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.hypemovie.com/

Posted by georgebushsux on July 22, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If this doesn't reek of tobacco money in our politician pockets, what does??

Posted by Tammie on July 22, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am not a smoker, never have been, never will be. Like those truth.com commercials, I did a study on the ingredients of cigarettes and their harmful effects, scared the heck out of me. I don't go in areas where there is a lot of smoke (even before I got pregnant) and I don't tell people they need to stop smoking (they'd probably tell me I need to quit od'ing on popsicles..lol). It's very addictive from what I've seen.

Posted by Early on July 22, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As others have mentioned, the revenue will not be enough to fund the program. Wanna know why New York has the highest taxes? Becasue the fell down a similar path and funded all these programs and the sin tax did not cover the burden so they raised property tax, sale tax and others to fund the programs started by this maneuver. I commend Governor Sanford for his foresight.

Posted by Larz13 on July 22, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the state legislature would pass a law allowing health insurance companies to deny coverage to those who smoked for large corporations and state workers, you would see a sharp decline in smoking and it would save a boatload of $$ in health insurance premiums. Would people complain? Hell yes but you know, statistics show that smokers are sick more and when they are retired and are still covered by the state plan, they cost the taxpayers tons of money from more frequent health issues and higher premiums. There are ways to help people quit and those who want to quit will get help.

Small business is already allowed to do this (mine does) and is a way to control costs. We save over 40% by allowing the insurance provider to deny coverage and there is a clause in the employment agreement that they can be terminated if they smoke.

Posted by Early on July 22, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Larz13, wait, wait, wait!!!!
I don't smoke but I promise, promise, promise you that over weight people in our state are 100 times more of a burden on our health system, for that matter the entire US of A.
Overweight people are the main cause of ever major health problem in America. Let's tax the fat!!!!!!!

Posted by common_sense on July 22, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No reason why all "sin taxes" shouldn't be raised, as well as allowing statewide sales of beer & wine 24-7-365, and allowing the red dots to stay open until 11PM Mon-Sat. And yes, raise taxes on cigs, but not too high. Make sure the tax is still lower than those in NC & GA. That way, travelers will still stop in SC to buy cigs. More money in state coffers. Win win!

I'm just sayin...

Posted by feb251939 on July 22, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

These moronic politicians, at the state and federal level, just don't get it.

When you raise taxes on ANYTHING that the consumer can figure out how to cut back on will, inevitably, result in loss revenue for their coffers.

Raise the taxes on cigarettes: Consumers will quit or cut back. Result: Loss revenue.

Raise water rates: Consumers cut back. Result: Loss revenue.

Raise the tax on groceries (it's coming): Consumer will cut back by making cheaper meals and buying only the basics: Yup...Loss revenue.

Another one that's in the pipeline: Raising taxes on fast food: Consumers will stop going to McDonald's etal because they don't NEED hamburgers: More loss revenue.

Raise the electric rates: Consumers turn off unnecessary lights, wash clothes in cold water, turn down the thermostat on hot water heaters, buy compact condescend bulbs, turn up thermostats in summer and down in winter etc: Same result when consumers conserve: Less money for electric companies and less revenue for the state coffers.

The biggest tax that affects all of the above: Raising the state and federal tax on gasoline. It's being considered now at the federal level and will drift down to state level: Consumers are already cutting back on consumption by buying smaller cars and traveling less: Same old result: Loss revenue.

Posted by STREETLAW on July 22, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Get the word out. The health issues associated with smoking runs to the billions. Taxpayers have historically picked up the tab for much of this, not the smokers themselves.

If people who pursue self-destructive behavior would refuse any tax subsidized medical treatment, I'd say leave them alone. And that goes for boozers, motorcyclist, gluttons and smokers.

Maybe they call all wear DNT (do not treat) bracelets.

Posted by drp7773 on July 22, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I quit smoking in 1991, with that said, this is really an unfair tax, no where in the article does it say lets raise taxes on cigs to pay for cig programs, so the tax is to benefit all in other areas. All we have heard is quit quit quit and now that people are quitting more and more each year why should they pay an unfair tax then when this is not enough they will raise the tax on Electricity etc so the same group gets hit again. This is no different then to say we are going to raise taxes on only people that need wheel chairs but the tax dollars will be used for any greedy idea we have and not for wheel chair programs. They are choosing to penalize a small minorty of people and If this stands then I say we should be taxing the freebie perks and vises of all, lets start with the elected officials, free parking tax them, all government buildings no more free parking spots with signs up so and so only, tax them, cops driving cars home free gas etc. tax them. the homeless getting hand outs, tax them too, churches and preachers , tax them. I'm sure the list can go on and on.

Posted by UrGatorbait on July 22, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NIce deflection early. I'm sure we can debate the health costs of obese people easily but let's stay on course here.

I have no problem raising taxes on smokers, they are addicts and will pay anything to get their fix. It'd be a nice little revenue generator but like those politicians that see potential streams of cash coming in, they'll start funding things that could probably wait or are a want not a need. Reduce the spending to reduce the taxes or reduce the spending and raise more revenue for needs.

Posted by farfallaspeaks on July 22, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well stated Streetlaw
Cigarettes are so so so so bad for you, and extremely addictive. Raising taxes MIGHT make some people quit. I don't trust where this money is going though.

I was a cigarette smoker in my teens. I smoked non stop for 4 years. My clothes stunk, my breath stunk, my house stunk. I realized I couldn't afford it anymore too. I wasn't ever addicted though. It turned into a habit more than an addiction. My lungs always hurt. I coughed up flem everyday. One day I realized that I wasn't getting anything out of it, so I quit completely. I just weighed out the good with the bad, and realized it wasn't worth it.

I never touched a cigarette again.

Now some of you may say, yeah, but you smoke herb too.
Well, my herb is 100% natural with no additives. It doesn't make me cough or make my lungs hurt. It doesn't give me cancer, and it is not addictive. Also, I spend less than 1/2 what I used to spend on cigarettes, as I only take one or two puffs a day.
It's cheaper than alcohol, and it makes SEX really great.
It makes me happy, and it doesn't give me hangover.
Also, I get SOMETHING out of it, while cigarettes did nothing for me. It helps me relax at the end of a long day much like you all drink a beer or a glass of wine to relax.
Oh, and it helped me quit smoking cigarettes.

Call me what you will, but there are many of us who believe the same thing, and I admit it all to you because I want you to know this. I support the reform of marijuana laws and the decriminalization of marijuana.

Posted by Early on July 22, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think it's a deflection, it's the truth. DO your own research. Cardiovascular disease, circulatory, diabetes's, stroke, liver disease, you name it, it's associated with being fat. Smokers have three MAIN worries, lung cancer, heart attacks and emphysema. We have a higher cost per individual because we are what, number three on the nation of fat people?
Next time you go to MUSC, look around you and see what I mean.

Posted by farfallaspeaks on July 22, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One more thing, my husband that I have now would NEVER have even kissed me if I was a cigarette smoker.

If some of you girls smoke cigarettes and are looking for a good man, you better think again before you light that cig up.
(or vice versa)
You could lose the love of your life by turning that person off with your really bad breath. It's NOT attractive, and it's going out of style real quick.

Posted by ysillyme on July 22, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I say don't let the basturds raise any tax on anything; they need to spend less! Very few states have an auto tax, think about that not even New York charges a sales tax on your car once a year. We tax groceries, not even New York State does that. All those social programs we do have which cost tons of our taxes are now being monitored for fraud (such as head start) for instance. The public housing and elected officals having relatives on public payrolls are coming under fire. By the way I'm a non-smoker but fat people do cost us way more than smokers, we are the 7th fattest state in America. Y'all pass the gravy now.

Posted by Lovely_One on July 22, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Read my lips, No new taxes!

Posted by Lovely_One on July 22, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very
important part of your life."
-- Brooke Shields, during an interview to become
spokesperson for federal anti-smoking campaign .

Posted by lou9 on July 22, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When the anti-smoking nazis have their way and outlaw smoking there won't be anything to tax. This is a waste of time.

Posted by oldglory on July 22, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL, by the time I'd finished the following and looked, feb251939 had a similar list/thought

Oh yes! Let's tax everything where we can rally some fanatical support.

Tax the following:

1. Every sip of every beer -- because the more sips, the more drunkeness = drunkeness kills

2. Cars that travel more than a mile from home base-- because we know the bad pollution cars create = exhaust killls

3. Painted fingernails -- because it is unhealthy for those nails not to breathe = more medical bills that the tax payer must assume

4. Red meat, fish, etc. -- because cholesterol must be controlled = cholesterol kills

5. All the unneccessary bites of food at any public establishment - SC is right near the top for obesity = more medical bills that the tax payer must assume

6. Every container of suntan oil/lotion seen on public beaches -- because it does more harm than good = skin cancers kill

Also my brain keeps asking why billions is spent on health issues related to cigarettes, but no one ever ever says a thing about the cost of health issues related to being obese (which appears to be epidemic), nor car exhaust fumes and illegal substances? Why is that?

Care to add to my fanatical list anyone?

Posted by MissPriss on July 22, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes this is great! While we're at it lets raise taxes on EVERYTHING!

**end sarcasm

Posted by carolinamommyof4 on July 22, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

oldglory~ I heard something the other day. All new mothers MUST attempt breastfeeding for xx amount of time before receiving WIC. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS drastically (SIDS kills) and would reduce the amount of tax dollars spent on formula by billions of dollars.

Posted by charlestonnative1963 on July 22, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hear this state legislature and GOv. Sanford...RAISE THE TAX and help us out of this budget crunch before more jobs are lost...its the NATIONAL AVERAGE!!!!!!! lets keep up with the nation in at least one thng...raise it. If people are stupid enough to continue smoking they will be stupid enough to pay the tax. Besides, I hate the smell of it

Posted by ysillyme on July 22, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

old glory--How could u leave out a tax on all forms of fishing in our state? I'm surprised the fatasses on the pier at Folly don't have a huge tax with as few fish as we have left in our coastal waters. If the clueless anglers can afford fuel for their boats, they can cough up a nice little tax for the reduction in all gamefish being over harvested. Finally, those losers on the Battery catching flounder (probably less than a dozen left) should be taxed so high they shop at the pig for seafood instead of raping the harbor. Besides, they look poor and dumb enough to pay a tax on anything they are told.

Posted by oldglory on July 22, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL @ carolinamommy and ysilly me!

Yes, and how about drunk driving tickets -having- to be paid rather than going to trial? (Would make money on the ticket and save money on a judge, witnesses, trial time.)

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Listen, I don't want to hear how you quit smoking and now think everyone else should or that you hope cigs go to 5.00 per pack. What are you a commie?

If they raise taxes on CIGS, they should also raise taxes on Coffee, Bibles, Candy, Coffins, etc...

I Smoke and I'm tired of getting a raw deal from non-smoking commies.

If they do raise taxes on cigs, I will pay it, but than we should get something back for our taxes, like more public COVERED smoking areas, ashtrays, etc...

Why should we smokers pay more taxes than non smokers, I pay the smokers rate for my health insurance so what ever cost may I encounter down the road does not come out of your pocket, it has already come out of mine.

I agree some skokers give the rest of us a bad name by throwing there butts on the ground, I say FINE them, not the rest of us.

Posted by willbillbedamned on July 22, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Today the state announced a $100 million shortfall in revenue. This is the same stae that outlawed the video poker machines. If they legalized the poker machines and taxed them, they would more than make up the revenue and the users wouldn't die off like the smokers will. Plus it would be another source of tourist revenue and completely voluntary.

Posted by UrGatorbait on July 22, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't worry Early you forgot to add stroke, circulatory, vision(macular degeneration/cataracts, periodontal problems(which in turn cause other health problems from the decay of teeth/gums), sexual dysfunction, asthma, skin problems and osteoarthritis. Smoking causes reduced O2 in blood hence reducing physical activity rate which contributes to obesity. Cervical/kidney/pancreatic cancer are also more prevalent in smokers. Hypertension is another small health issue.

*

Smoking causes more than $167 billion each year in health-related costs, including the cost of lost productivity caused by deaths from smoking.
*

Smoking-related medical costs totaled more than $75.5 billion in 1998 and accounted for 8% of personal health care medical expenditures.
*

Death-related productivity losses from smoking among workers cost the US economy more than $92 billion yearly (average for 1997-2001).
*

For each pack of cigarettes sold in 1999, $3.45 was spent on medical care caused by smoking, and $3.73 lost in productivity, for a total cost to society of $7.18 per pack.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/conten...

Obesity:

t has been estimated that the annual cost of overweight and obesity in the U.S. is $122.9 billion. This estimate accounts for $64.1 billion in direct costs and $58.8 billion in indirect costs related to the obesity.

http://www.obesityinamerica.org/economic...

Those are the after a quick search this is the latest figures I could find on obesity. The CDC had 1998 data only.

Both figures are ridiculous in the amount of money we spend subsidizing these individual "freedoms" to kill them selves slowly while the people left behind pick up the increased medical costs. I'm all for insurers not picking up the tab to cover those that won't take care of themselves. It keeps the costs down for the business which allows more money to be invested in the company and employees. It's not discrimination.

I've also written DECA about removing tobacco products from the commissaries. The commissaries are for active duty folks and are a benefit to us retirees. Smoking is a readiness issue and it sends a mixed message towards readiness.

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, UrGatorbait,

How much of these supposed health cost came directly out of your pocket?

Posted by feb251939 on July 22, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

[I hate the smell of it]

I hate the smell of cooking collard greens. Tax it or ban it.
I hate the smell of frying fat back and bacon. Tax it or ban it.
I hate the smell of hair spray. Raise the tax or ban it.
I hate the smell women who use too much perfume. Fine them, tax them or ban it.
I hate the smell of gasoline. Raise the ta..Oppps, nevermind.
I hate the smell of properity. Tax it, steal it, trick people out of it, find new ways to take it, support dead beats with it, support illegal aliens with it.

That's some of the things I hate, carolinanative.

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Food for thought;

http://www.smokingaloud.com/money.html

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To suggest that every person who dies prematurely represents a loss to society is little more than moralistic nonsense. The chances are probably equal that they would have benefitted or detracted from society. The greatest likelihood is that they would go through life carrying their own weight, no more and no less. - - -From a neat article about seatbelts http://www.motorists.org/seatbelts/home/...

Posted by MissVAbch on July 22, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't stand it when a smoker comes within arms length, it smells horrible. And why they allow smoking in restaurants around here is beyond me. How can people eat around all of that smoke? Take it outside. Ugh!

And 7 measly cents? Another sign that this place is behind the times and living in the past. Come on SC, lets play catch-up with the rest of the country.

Same with alcohol sales on Sunday. When I moved here and attempted to purchase a bottle of wine at a grocery store, they looked at me like I had a third eye or something. When they told me the law, I couldn't help but laugh. Huh?

Posted by MissVAbch on July 22, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Also, since moving here I have been appalled at how often you see people puffing away in their cars, standing outside of businesses. There are A LOT more smokers here, and I believe it is from the low cost. If they raise the tax, it will prevent some people from starting, which includes kids. Hopefully it will cause some to stop.

Horrible habit.

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't stand it when an outsider comes to live in SC and wants to push their states values on us.

I personaly don't give a Dang how you did it up North.

Posted by MissVAbch on July 22, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thats another problem, those that don't want to improve their quality of life and state.

And I was raised here, left for a little over a decade, came back and cannot believe this place has been at a stand-still. I had expected more from Chas.

Lets make it better, not bash those that want to make it better. Chas has great potential, but unfortunately there are those that want to keep it in the dumps.

Posted by MissVAbch on July 22, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And I also understand that 'locals' can talk trash about this place but heaven forbid if a 'northenah' comes to town and has great suggestions. Society sadness.

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Northenah's are not so bad, just those that are commited to communistic thinking. We South Carolinians are proud, Free thinkers that do not readily give in to northern aggression.

Posted by farfallaspeaks on July 22, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FAST FOOD, which if eaten every day, will kill you.

I hate the way it smells outside in the parking lots.
What i hate even more is that people that will go through drive through and waste gas for 15 minutes waiting for it, when they should just park the car and get their fat asses out of the car and order it inside, which in many cases is FASTER.

TAX THOSE FAT BASTARDS FOR WASTING GAS AND MAKING THE PARKING LOTS SMELL OF FRIED CHICKEN AND EXHAUST.
Also, fat people create excessive waste with all their eating.
TAX THEM!

Posted by MissVAbch on July 22, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree farfall. Not that this is on topic, but WHY do people go through a drive thru (for crap) instead of walking inside? I have never understood that.

Same reason people in my neighborhood *drive* to the pool! Lazy Americans! I can only shake my head and laugh. Tsk!

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Communist= "I do not smoke, so niether should anyone else"

Anti-Communist= "I smoke I and don't care if you do or not"

Kind of like those Home owner associations that decide what color to paint the house you pay for or what type of grass to plant in you own yard.

Communism, Sadly is alive and well.

Posted by guidedbystewart on July 22, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

People in this site really like to throw the word communist when a person disagrees with them?
I think people get communism confused with totalitarianism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totalitaria...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism

Posted by MissVAbch on July 22, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, you wouldn't care if your kids started smoking? Hmm. Very interesting.

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

guidedbystewart- - -

While true this could be viewed as Totalitarianism it does have socialist undertones. So what would we call that?

And yes, MissVAbch, I do care if people under the legal age start smoking, making cigs more expensive will only increase the amount children would steal. Kids are not going to say, "that's way to expensive".
How many CDs are stolen each year?

If your child can go to war or jail at 17, vote at 18, I think they can decide wether they want to smoke or have a beer or not.
Of course as a parent I will try and discourage this, but it really isn't any one elses business.

Posted by drp7773 on July 22, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

People, the article is about raising taxes on on group of people but all people reap the rewards. The article says nothing about what the taxes would be used for, in other words it's just extra revenue coming in and the folks in Cola gets to use the money anyway they want. This is really unfair, if the tax was for smoking programs for and against thats one thing but if its for planned parenthood or whatever then why penalize one group of people. Also if more people are quitting everyday then the revenue from these taxes are going to go down each year, what will be the excuse then to raise tax dolars. There is no difference in this tax and a special tax on folks that say wears grey socks only. The government was not formed to pick one group over another to pay taxes. For as long as I can remember alcohol and cigs are the first that get penalized to bring in extra revenue for pet projects of the state and then allow anyone to reap the rewards of these projects. I really dislike cig smoke but come on if they decided to charge only a tax on one race of people well all hell would break lose but this is ok?? discrimination is discrimination, when did we become a new Russia?

Posted by ptmama73 on July 22, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Statistics from 2005:
SC - Pop.: 4,407,709 % of ADULT smokers: 22.6 = 1,013,773 smokers.

VA - Pop.: 7,712,091 % of ADULT smokers: 20.6 = 1,619,539 smokers.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokin...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S...

Posted by carolinamommyof4 on July 22, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I dont smoke - I dont care if you smoke.

I say to each his own.

Go ahead and puff away. I'm sure there are things I do that agitate others. (I have 4 kids)

When I go to a restaurant, I just ask for non smoking. Yea, I smell it and yea, my kid has asthma...but that little bit doesnt really bother him. I just dont eat at Alex's, The Waffle House and places with no ventilation.

The only one complaint I have is smokers in front of a public building. WalMart and the mall are terrible for that. Hey, I dont mind if you puff, but my children and I shouldnt have to walk through it.

You just politely smoke somewhere a few feet away from the door. I dont bother you and you dont bother me.

We all do something that endangers our health. Some more than others perhaps...

I think stressing about what other people do can raise your blood pressure. Damn, I wish we could ban stress!

Posted by Missing_Home on July 22, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

carolinamommyof4- - - Sounds good, I really don't care about smoking in a restaurant others might, i do think it is wrong to ban smoking in a bar. I think it should be up to the bar owner.

As for walmart and the malls, I think it should be up to management to carve out a smoke free zone near the entrances if they want (i.e...25 foot from entrance should do it) , but it should clearly be up to them, not the government.

As a smoker I would comply, i'm sure others would to.

True story, my wife and I were downtown a few years ago, (i think it was the home show) She stepped outside to have a smoke, not 5 minutes later a woman came outside with her baby and started changing the babies diaper right next to where my my wife was smoking. No problem right?

Wrong, the lady glared at my wife and said, "do you mind not smoking". I said,"YES!, she does, she can't smoke inside, you can change your baby inside. She does mind."

I hate having to be rude, too many people think smokers won't stick up for themselves, i don't know, maybe in the past we didn't, but more and more people are starting to speak up.

Posted by FiscalConservative on July 22, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Poor people and disabled people are huge taxburdens on this country. So are old people. We should institute a maximum age limit in this country. As soon as you hit 65, time to die. Fat people too. Stupid people you are in on this too. We will hammer out the rules later. Killing them would be much too harsh though. We should tax them to death so they will stop being so old,fat,dumb,poor,etc. Taxing people is the way to get people to do what you want them to apparently.

Posted by MissVAbch on July 22, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There must be a lot of smokers in the west and north b/c I have never seen so many smokers as I see here.

Posted by UrGatorbait on July 22, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Missing Home every time I pay my health insurance premium would be my guess. Since it's obvious you don't care if I did or not than why ask? Also if you're happy footing the bill(since you don't care) then you can continue to do things your way. It's your money so if you're happy with the status quo, then more power to ya! You're wife shoulda moved a couple steps the other way to avoid confrontation.

Commie, commie,commie, not to worry stewart, just a knee jerk response from the uber-patriots who can what they want but damn everyone else!! They think for themselves, LMFAO!!! Stuck in time. Yee haw!

Posted by UrGatorbait on July 22, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)

While were at Missing Home here is some more food for thought since ya'll pride yourselves on thinkin' so much,

Tell me how much is added to the price of say an auto to cover health benefits? Who is the cost passed onto?

How much cost is incurred by the small business owner to provide health insurance? Guess who that cost is passed onto?

How much does providing health insurance add to the cost of doing business and who do you think the cost is passed onto?

Now let these companies and insurers get to set the terms for health insurance, i.e. non-smokers, obese folks and tell me how much it would cost then?

It sounds like you're an advocate for universal health care, you know some else taking care of you killing yourselves slowly with cigs. now there's a communist, er socialist institution for ya.

Posted by rollo on July 22, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's a shame that so many people cannot live their lives without demanding Gov't punish those who live their lives differently.
100 Yrs ago, the targets of persecution were negros and indians. Now it has become politically correct to persecute smokers. The World Health Organization published the results of a 30 yr study indicating that ETS(second hand smoke) has 0 effect on those exposed to it. Yet, where this study is used to oppose persecution, Gov't ignores its' results!!

The anti-tobacco campaign is demonstrably NOT about health, or health care expenditures. It is about recruiting citizens to aid gov't in controlling the legal behavior of fellow citizens.

It is the promotion of totalitarianism and all who support these social control efforts (UrGatorbait, MissVAbch, and others) see yourselves as being on a plane of existence that allows you to decide who should be punished for engaging in perfectly legal behavior.

Who do you think you are??

Posted by UrGatorbait on July 22, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Punished? Who said anything about punished. It's the consequences of your actions rollo. It's economics dude , it's the engine that drives this great nation.

You want to smoke dude? knock yourself out. Don't expect me to pick up your health care tab dude. Why should people who don't smoke pick up your tab through increased costs? Do we some how owe you something? I musta missed that part. It's a good business decision. Why should I hire anyone who has a greater possibility of getting sick, missing work etc and in turn costing my customers to pay more for a product they get elsewhere cheaper?

So take your Pych/Soc/Gov 101 X files level response your glaring sense of entitlement, then on your little tin hat and hope your universal health care gets passed so those that work can foot the bill for one of your "freedoms" Funny I didn't see that anywhere in the Constitution; that smoking thing