Fort Loramie in state semis
Minster girls in state semifinals
Miami East bus crash
Tobacco shops brace for large tax increase
Saturday, March 28, 2009
DAYTON — Bob Fairchild, who oversees the Oregon Smoke Shop at 436 E. Fifth St., is taking the largest federal excise tax hike ever on tobacco in stride.
The tax increase, he said, may convince more people to roll their own cigarettes, though the tax on that type of tobacco also is increasing exponentially from $1.10 to $24.78 per pound come Wednesday, April 1.
Fairchild figures the business, which he describes as more of a pipe shop that doesn't sell large volume, might even benefit a bit when patrons of nearby bars see how much cigarettes in vending machines cost and look elsewhere for their smokes until the sticker shock wears off.
"Everybody's going to quit smoking when they're going to quit having sex," Fairchild said. "It's not going to happen.
"How many people stopped buying gas when it went up?" he said.
Other tobacco retailers are less certain. The percentage of Ohio adults who smoke has been gradually declining over the past 25 years, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Between 1984 and 2007, the percentage of men who smoked dropped from 31 percent to 24 percent, while the percentage of women who smoked dwindled from 26 percent to 22 percent.
The new tobacco tax could take a further toll on the smoking rate, and some local retailers are concerned it could be another blow to their business.
Ronald Houck, owner of the Wharf at 3464 Pentagon Blvd. in Beavercreek, is concerned the price hike will make his customers even more price-conscious and drive them to his biggest competitor, the Internet.
He's also concerned about the impact of sales on make your own (MYO) tobacco, which accounts for about a fifth of his business. Houck expects to lose 20 percent to 25 percent of his overall business after the tax takes effect, and said he'll cut about half of his nine employees. He also plans to convert part of his retail space into a lounge and charge people who come in to smoke.
Houck doesn't filter his criticism of Congress or of a proposal to raise Ohio's excise tax on tobacco products from 17 percent to 54 percent of the wholesale price, comparing such tax hikes on tobacco to Russia's pogroms.
"We'll survive it, but we're not going to be in very good shape when they get done," Houck said.
Mike Joo, part owner of the Smoke Stop chain of tobacco shops in Franklin, Huber Heights, Miamisburg and Germantown, said the magnitude of the federal tax hike puts his business in uncharted territory.
Some customers have stocked up on roll-your-own tobacco so they can hold off paying higher prices as long as possible, Joo said. Others have said they plan to quit.
"We hope the impact is going to be minimal, but it's all speculation at this point," he said.
The State Children's Health Insurance Program is a good program, Joo said, but "I think the cost should be experienced by everybody, not just people who use tobacco products."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7457 or bsutherly@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Ipo
October 19, 2009 5:08 PM | Link to this
Hi guys. I hope that when I die, people say about me, ‘Boy, that guy sure owed me a lot of money.’ I am from Tanzania and know bad English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: ” The wax scatterplot experience interprets the get so the item photos can cut its ticket.”
THX :p, Ipo.
By Marv
October 1, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this
Hi all. Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. I am from Mauritania and learning to speak English, give true I wrote the following sentence: “in own ramshackle artists, several exchange wants time of the fourth project obscenities.”
Regards ;) Marv.
By Macaulay
September 10, 2009 2:12 AM | Link to this
Hey. I don’t mind what language an opera is sung in so long as it is a language I don’t understand. I am from Zealand and now study English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “The allergies of the inhalation were deposited on the pili which was until it ripped the ear into which it was improved.”
Waiting for a reply :D, Macaulay.
By Elspeth
September 6, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this
Good evening. Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away. I am from Kuwait and now study English, tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “The musky can be absorbed for entire person, proderin vs provillus.”
With respect :-(, Elspeth.
By webmaster@25thaviation.org
April 5, 2009 9:12 PM | Link to this
Well folks, I hate to say this but I have 3 people who don’t smoke works for me. They will be replaced with unemployed smokers.
I donated 10k a year to charity, that is now gone. I am not going to help any more anchor babies, or slackers.
let Obama do it. I willsee to it than we fly our supplies in from over seas cigarettes will be with them.
f**k thisstate and f**k Obama and Pelosi. Show me one death certificate that says died of 2nd hand smoke. They cannot prove one case, not one.
By karen
April 1, 2009 5:27 AM | Link to this
this is nuts..if one group is taxed all should be taxed..sin tax my foot..tax it all including the sex..the county should help those who need it..no one group should be made to pay for it all..america should be ashamed..ashamed..i know i am…
By Jakins
March 31, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
Why should my Tobacco Taxes be raised to support a bunch of bastard kids I did not get the pleasure of putting in these FRAKEN Wellfare moms.If thy could not afford them thy should not have had them in the first place.These Taxes will hurt the econemy even more than it is hurting now.Well scr#w this Tobacco tax increase.I purchased a life time supply of Tobacco and tubes before thy went up.Hope everyone did the same!!!
By :) blah blah
March 31, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this
i dont know why they are raising the prices of tobacco products.they think they will somehow stop all the dumb s**t and the underage smokers and everything else well its not gonna stop or help anything, and i think that the alcohol should be taxed alot more than anything else in the u.s because look how many innicent people die in crashes and everything else because of drunk drivers. its stupid and im not saying that smoking doesnt increase health risks and stuff but everyone knows it&still does
By Pam
March 30, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this
I guess I should have known better. Something that ended up this much cheaper for us couldn’t last, right? Going from $16.99 for a 1 pound bag all the way to $43 for the same 1 pound bag is absoloutely unbelievable. It is still cheaper to roll our own considering if my math is right, it will be $50 for a carton of smokes and I can still make them for between $20 and $24. The savings were much more impressive before this price hike. Maybe eventually I will take the hint and QUIT!
By paul
March 30, 2009 1:30 AM | Link to this
I am going to have to quit smoking I guess, but because I won’t have any other way to anoy people I sure hope they don’t start on my weight I am fat too! how much will the fat tax be? I just lost 40 lbs that I had gained the last time I “Quit”. I will forever remember this day, and every time I hear some wimp a*s speak of second hand smoke, I “will” muster up a fart and fart in their general direction!!
By HEAR ME
March 30, 2009 12:07 AM | Link to this
if they’re going to tax tabacco on the premise (in part) because smoking causes illness and is a burden on healthcare then by ALL MEANS go for it. BUT please do BE FAIR about it and also put an equal tax on all the FREAKIN CHIPS/CANDY/SODAS that is causing so many people to be OBESE. OBESITY is just as much a health problem and burdens the system AND its getting worse………those “fat kids” will be up and coming DIABETIC patients. But on the up side maybe we’ll have less asthma.
By brent
March 29, 2009 9:20 PM | Link to this
kim,
if you read the article it shows that all tobacco is getting taxed.
this includes pipe and cigars
By Skip Foss
March 29, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
To NickM why don’t you wake up you sound like the rest of the liberal asswipes,what about all of the drunks that kill everyday and addicts that shoot chemicals in their bodies are smokers responsible for them. As a paramedic I never took a dead person out that was killed under the influence of a cigarette
By Skip Foss
March 29, 2009 11:29 AM | Link to this
To Veitnam Vet Iwas there to bro 1965 to1969 and I to thought that we had a country of men that would stand up and show some back bone.All we have today are stay at home DADs and left wing gutless cowards that want to talk their way out and pres. that will sell it all out to his Jihadist buddies
By Skip Foss
March 29, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
The only children this tax is going to pay for are for the wet backs that come here from Mexico and all of the other south American states. I just love the representation that we got with tis tax most people heard of it about a month before the half-breed jack off signed it. If you count up all of the taxes that have been pasted in the name of child education and healthcare we would have the smartest most healthy kids in this galaxyIt seems that every time they need more money its for the kids.
By fedup
March 29, 2009 12:53 AM | Link to this
I am all for taxing land of the free and all, but how about this, tax the chips and pop fast food and oh yeah junk food in general, I am sick of seeing 9 year old kids so fat in america that they can’t walk without waddling. What are we going to be paying for next lipno tax for other peoples fat kids? Tax them for a while, every bad thing should get it’s turn at than get a dollar menu in America.
By dd
March 28, 2009 7:23 PM | Link to this
Okay, all of you ignorant folks out there that think insurance cost is high because of smokers, WAKE UP. Did you forget that people who abuse alcohol kill innocent drivers on the road, therefore raising insurance cost for healthcare provided due to injuries. What about the crack addicts that go to the ER and get free healthcare, who do you think picks up the tab. I used to smoke, quit when the price went up, but am tired of the healtchare cost being blamed solely on smokers. See the bigger pic.
By b rogers
March 28, 2009 7:14 PM | Link to this
To jkj and others. Smokers have more than paid for their healthcare and some of yours too. You need to pull your heads out of the anti-smoking propaganda machine. Via the Master Settlement Agreement, smokers have paid for roads, schools, stadiums, entertainment centers, golf courses, etc. as well as the salaries of career anti’s who have banned them from every nook and cranny and who have stolen precious private property rights. This nation needs to wake up to the fraud.
By Jack
March 28, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this
Wake up smokers. It is time to put them up and say no to paying $7.00 a pack. Are you out of your mind paying that price for a pack. You have to be the most stupid person on earth to pay $70.00 for a carton of smokes. The whole world is laughing at you.
By Chris2
March 28, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this
No problem, I’ll just drive across the state line to buy my smokes from now on…. and my liquor is cheaper outside of Ohio too…
Thanks, “he who shall not be named”….
By NickM
March 28, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
Thank You OBAMA!! Its about time. Im tired of paying outragous bills for doctors visits and health insurance. Why? All because people want to put poison into their body and i have to pay to help cover their bills when they get cancer and are on oxogyn. If you people want to cry about the price of cigarettes, switch over to swollowing drain cleaner. Its cheaper, and it will get the job done a lot quicker. Way to go OBAMA! I knew you could do something right.
By jkj
March 28, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
I think it’s great!! Tax away! I’m sick of getting in line behind folks who use food stamps for food and then whip out a roll of cash to buy cigs!!! Maybe this will put a stop to that crap. And yes, alcohol needs to be taxed much more as well!!
By Chris
March 28, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this
Has it occurred that maybe some of us do not want to live to 90 years old wearing a diaper, calling 911 for help to take a bath and eating dog food? I’d rather enjoy life now than give my social security check to the state and be forced to liquidate all assets (including home) so I can be locked up in a state run nursing home like Saint John’s in Springfield for example. At least if I die when life insurance is still affordable or obtainable, my family would be well off financially.
By Carl
March 28, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
The government pays because it is NOT the fault of the child that it exists through stupid parents. The child should NOT have to suffer simply due to having stupid parents. THINK, people.
By UrbanDweller
March 28, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this
Agree with M, why does the government have to pay for health care for children who’s parents shouldn’t have had them in the first place? If you can’t even afford to support yourself, then you have no business having children. The money would be better spent giving these breeders birth control.
By JoyceG
March 28, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
This is a regressive tax, you can see where Obama lied about not raising taxes on anyone making less that $250,000. It was one of Hillary’s wet dreams for years to pass this, so it was the first thing to go on his desk when he took office. What Does Regressive Tax Mean? A tax that takes a larger percentage from low-income people than from high-income people. A regressive tax is generally a tax that is applied uniformly. This means that it hits lower-income individuals harder. Investopedia Says Investopedia explains Regressive Tax Some examples include gas tax and cigarette tax. For example, if a person has $10 of income and must pay $1 of tax on a package of cigarettes, this represents 10% of the person’s income. However, if the person has $20 of income, this $1 tax only represents 5% of that person’s income.
Sales taxes that apply to essentials are generally considered to be regressive as well because expenses for food, clothing and shelter tend to make up a higher percentage of a lower income consumer’s overall budget. In this case, even though the tax may be uniform (such as 7% sales tax), lower income consumers are more affected by it because they are less able to afford it.
By M
March 28, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this
I am quitting tobacco use today. I would not mind a higher tax. I do not want to pay for health care for children whose parents are so ignorant that they have children they can not afford to care for.
By Linda
March 28, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
What’s next TEA???
By Rufusdakat
March 28, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
My question to all that applaud this cigarette tax is: when enough people quit smoking, because of price, where will the revenue come from to fund this “child healthcare” plan? Salt? Sugar? Coffee? They are all bad for you, and they (except coffee) are all relatively inexpensive.
By b rogers
March 28, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
The SCHIP program will also need 22 million new smokers. How is that for logic?
By b rogers
March 28, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
The people who will really benefit from these excessive tobacco taxes (other than Big Pharma) will be in the black market. The nation has made the country ripe for smugglers. That creates a whole differant problem and tobacco will be more accessable to kids than ever before. It has already happened in Canada.
By Kim
March 28, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
I care about our children and their health, however I also care about my elderly mother who isn’t old enough for medicare and her social security isn’t enough for a private health insurance, but is to much for any programs offered. So I guess I am wondering if medical for children will benefit from this rediculously high priced tax, why can’t my mother (elderly). Also why is this tax only targeting the cigarette smokers? My understanding pipe tobacco or cigars are going to be the same low price.
By Carl
March 28, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this
Regarding the Wharf: Hasn’t there been a “lounge” area within the store for years now already? Granted it’s a table and chairs. But people are still lounging about there smoking. And now to charge to stay to smoke when it’s something patrons have been doing there all day for years? Wow, that is desperate.
By resident evil
March 28, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this
I’m going to start smoking so I can help the kids!
By Smokeless
March 28, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
If anyone ever wondered why Dayton is circling the drain, just read the comments from the pack of losers on this site. What a bunch of Low IQ Club members. Seems Dayton has a lot of ignorant white trash brairhopper cigarette smokers. Hahahah! LOL!
By Ken
March 28, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this
Brian and Non Smoker, just to let u know, I donate money to local charities. I’m not about myself. Your premature judgment about me pretty much says it all about u. Anyway, u 2 boneheads are not the issue. The issue is i can’t afford smokers to stop smoking. Even with this tax hike u will c a small fraction of smokers quitting. I love my country and I love our Government. They have helped me alot. Thanks smokers. Please dont quit.
By who cares
March 28, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this
you raise my health insurance , you trash the streets with your butts , you cough in my face i don”t care if you smoke but your going to pay for it just like we do for your stupidity.
By Tbill
March 28, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this
When people stop buying tobacco products, what then will be the source of money for these programs? And why is it for kids healthcare? Seems that old people get seriously ill more often than kids. Just what is the “healthcare system”, anyway? We’d be better off with a huge tax on alcohol and gasoline.
By a non-smoker
March 28, 2009 11:28 AM | Link to this
KEN you are a mouthy little punk. Get off you AS, get a job and take care of your own little punk AS kids. You left wing socialist lover. BOs got some getmo detainees for your daycare needs.
By kurt
March 28, 2009 11:27 AM | Link to this
Atypical government “solution”—use today’s money to solve tomorrow’s problems [ social security….road taxes…etc] when the problems arrive tomorrow,the money will have been “filtered” and squandered,leaving the smoker and the healthcare system still in shambles.Vote for me and I’ll set you free…ball of confusion
By Brian
March 28, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this
Hey there Ken, it sounds like all you really care about is yourself. I netted X amount of money thanks to you smokers! Why not donate some of YOUR “hard” earned money to childrens health care? Surely seems like you could afford to, huh? Or better yet, why not give some of the parents of these ‘under-privileged’ parents, who are sucking the money out of taxpayers pockets a job? Wouldnt that suffice enough to help out? Wait, you only care about yourself, nevermind.
By seven
March 28, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
Chknbtt, you are correct LEGALIZE and TAX MARIJUANA. I do not pay taxes on my weed purchases now and I am willing to if legalized.
By Brian
March 28, 2009 11:11 AM | Link to this
I like the comment that smokers die younger, thus needing/taking less healthcare than someone who lives to 100 who uses someone elses money for their prolonged health. So this brings me to this question for those of you who have read the posts so far or have some form of interest, good or bad, about this topic. Would you agree or disagree that smoking is a form of population control? If the world didnt have smokers, how over populated would the earth be today? or say in 50 years? Think about it!
By Ken
March 28, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this
Quit complaining u cry babying right wing liberals. I support the tax increase, oh yeh, i said it. Tax on government. These smokers get what they ask for. So, smokers, keep smoking. Support our kids. Hell, i’d even support an increase in alcohol tax. Tax the hell out of these lower and middle class cry babies. I started my company 17 years ago and it;s doing well because of smokers, u get it now. Last year i netted 87,000 dollars, thanks smokers. i love my job.
By Ronald Houck
March 28, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this
Dear Chknbtt, et al If you had completely read my “fiction” comment posted at 10:17 AM, and thought about it, you may have come to the conclusion that perhaps it is not fiction. Contemplate this: There are two major global cigarette manufacturers who sell their products in the USA. One of these manufactures produces and sells cigarette making tobacco; the other only manufactures cigarettes. The one which manufactures cigarettes has the greater clout in DC and desired to reduce the impact of their competitor, the one who also manufactures cigarette making tobacco. If you were the Cigarette Tycoon in my tale of “fiction,” what would you do? For obvious reasons I can not name the Cigarette Tycoon.
By steve
March 28, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
Well you voted a socialist and a two face will not take responsability for ones self…just another lying two face tax and waste dummycrack dope selling socialist who uses children too shield himself…wake up you liberals your dume is comming…
By VIETNAM-VET
March 28, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this
I’m a VietNam veteran was there from Sept.1967 thru Sept.1968 and was proud to serve my Country.However now i have got to wonder what has happened to Country we have become Puppet’s on a string and Spineless Jellyfish. We set by and let our so called Law makers And Reprecentives Dictate to us and Discrimanate against us of whose going to bare the burden. I think we need to CLEAN HOUSE and Elect some new lawmaker’s and send those Old Senile people home to their rocking chairs! Stand up
By ichoosefreedom
March 28, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this
Didn’t Obama-nation promise no tax increases on those who make under $250,000? I’m retired and I roll my own. My tobacco just increased 2,000%. I CERTAINLY don’t make $250k. Obama is a liar. He also promised no lobbyists and then loads his appointments down with them. Whether you smoke or not, you should be outraged with this tax. Figures I read said 22,000,000 new smokers would be needed to pay for SCHIP and idiots like Weiss say now is the time to quit? But it’s for the kids. Smoke more!!!
By RJM
March 28, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
Yet another liberty taken away from us, and done in an unbalanced way. Why not just impose probition like they did for alcohol? For that matter, why is it that alcohol isn’t being taxed with the same prejudice? How many smokers kill someone in a car accident because of being under the influence of nicotine? now compare that with all the underage drinking deaths, dui related deaths, etc that happen every year. Alcohol should be taxed just as much, if not more, as heavily as tobacco.
By Chknbtt
March 28, 2009 10:45 AM | Link to this
Who the hell is Ronald Houck that he gets 3 times the space to post his “little” piece of fiction? I don’t smoke but have family that does. They have been rolling their own. 24.78 tax on a pound of loose tobacco? An average size bag is 6 ounces so that makes the cost twice as much as it was. I guess they’ll be buying up a few bags to get them through. Why don’t we just make pot legal and tax the crap out of it? It would ease up the legal system and get the revenue we need.
By smoker
March 28, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this
there are a ot of restrictions on smokers theres always increased taxs and the money is always supposed to be for some good reason so this time its for health care its still an unreasonable hike yes I smoke my children have not needed to go to a doctor in over three years last year I went one time for a pulled rib muscle which happenedat work they xrayed my rib cageand then told me my lungs werethe healthiest that they had seen in quiteawhile I have been smoking for17years is it really thatbad?
By a non-smoker
March 28, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
DaMang did you ever hear of “PROHIBITION”? Are you some kind of communist? This is just a way to tax the middle and lower class of this country.
By Falcon
March 28, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Fallacy: Smokers use more health care.
Smokers die earlier and take less health care payments. Lung cancer and emphysema take you fairly quickly. Where health nuts live to 95 and die slowly. Sucking down 20 extra years of health. Think about it. If all smokers quit, health care costs would be lower at first, but after 15 years they would become higher than at present. In the long term, complete smoking cessation would produce a net increase in health care costs. - New England Journal of Med
By Neonmoon
March 28, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
It boggles my mind that almost every one of you posters are missing the BIG picture. Why do you all want taxes to be raised at all? This mindset of “if you raise the smoker’s taxes then raise the drinker’s too” is insane. You have it a$$ backwards!
Let’s lower taxes of all kinds and cut out the idiot programs that come from the elite in Washington. Do a little research and look at what the dolts in D.C. are really spending our tax money on.
Then go to the Tea Party Apr. 15th and protest!
By Rick
March 28, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
I hope all you smokers who vote for Barry are happy now. I don’t smoke and still think it’s a load of crap. Elections have consequences.
By Ohio Kids
March 28, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
Thank you. Yes it would be more honest to tax everyone and spread the burden fairly but you are not willing to. At least this way I can get the medical care I need. And as for smokers the chance of you needing medical that some else pays for is very very high. It is the least you can do.
By Katmandu
March 28, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
As an EX-Smoker here’s my take.
IF you CHOOSE to smoke, prepare to SUFFER ALL the CONSEQUENCES !!
Smokers are a blight on the Healthcare system and NEED to PAY their share for their BAD HEALTH CHOICES.
GET READY TO PAY UP SMOKERS!! Here’s a NEWSFLASH !! Do what I did! QUIT SMOKING and STOP the EXCUSES !!
By Barry Sentoro
March 28, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this
To all you Bush Haters: Hate breeds evil. Now, look what you’ve bred. Obama is an evil tyrant!!!
By Ronald Houck
March 28, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
The federal tax increase on cigarettes was a no-brainer as the Cossacks had their swords sharp in anticipation of an easy kill. And they took no prisoners! The increase in cigarette making tobacco took the industry by surprise. Here is what I speculate happened and I don’t think I am far off.
In the following dialog, Congressional Cossacks are identified as CC; Cigarette Tycoons as CT. Actor’s cues are shown in parenthesis. The dollar amounts are factual and are often calculated out to 4 decimal places. Millions of dollars are squandered every day by governments, but in this case a thousandth of a penny is very important.
But now, on with the play…
Picture a cigar smoke filled room, CC and CT comfortably sitting at a table with chairs angled to table with legs crossed; each smokes a $25 Padron 30th Anniversary double corona, sipping aged bourbon. Nothing cheap about these guys!
(CC speaks first in a by-the-way manner.)
CC: We’re back to extract more tribute from your village for our general fund! Miss us? Of course not as we’re your favorite worse nightmare.
(CT exhibits disguised surprise.)
CT: Again? So soon? We’re taxed enough already? Go down the road to Alcoholopis - their granaries are overflowing with tribute.
(CC speaks slowly. Pauses between words to pick tobacco bit from his tongue; otherwise admires cigar during pauses.)
CC: Nah, they’re too well fortified and besides they contribute mightily to the Czar’s campaign. You’ll do for now until we’re ready to take them on. Their turn is coming - after your village is eliminated. (Points cigar at CT in a stabbing manner as if it’s a sword.) Then where do you think that we’ll get our tribute? But you won’t be around to see it, will you? (Rolls eyes while looking upward; releases smoke rings.)
CT: How much do you want now? You robbed us blind before with the Master Settlement Agreement with the promise that those millions would be used to educate youth about the evils of smoking our cigarettes, that they were harming their health by doing so. (Mocking accusation – you’re a thief and a liar.) Then you turned around and transferred millions upon millions of dollars into your general fund - down the toilet. (With resignation.) You’ll do the same with whatever I give you now.
CC: Yeah, well now we thought up the sweet idea of a health insurance program for children. You know, those kids that we failed to educate about the dangers of smoking your cigarettes. They get sick, don’t they? We need more tax money and everyone loves kids, don’t they. Children and Health! That’s been a winning tax slogan for us for a long time. And we are not even held responsible for doing anything for those kids after we stuff the tribute into our general fund. Sort of gets lost that way. You know about things like that. People forget as long as we let them have their bread and circuses. We’ll use the same story when we’re ready to take on Alcoholopis.
CT: How Much? And even if I agree to anything, you’ll have to do something for me if you want this village to survive long enough to pay you any honorary. (Draws out ‘honorary’ in a mocking manner.)
(Slaps one hand down on table as if in agreement.)
CC: That’s what we like to hear. Thieves can always bargain honorably with thieves. (Said in a manner-of fact tone.) We want to increase the federal tax on manufactured cigarettes from $0.39 to $1.00, a mere 61 cents more per pack. That should generate about $50B over the next four years.
(CT stages anger while quickly standing to lean forward with both hands on the table to stare down CC. Speaks slowly, softly accentuating each word. CC stares off in space to indicate that he has heard this song before.)
CT: You must be crazy! You’ll break us in two! Poor people won’t be able to buy our goods. We’ll both lose money and you’ll lose votes.
(Long pause while CT takes a long draw on cigar, appearing to search for an already thought-out solution.)
However, we might be able to swing a deal if you’ll help us.
(CT shrugs shoulders to indicate a ‘gotcha.’)
Otherwise, we might just bring up the subject again of where all the millions from the Master Settlement disappeared to.
(CC leans into CT’s space. Rapid, forced response while speaking with teeth tightly clinching cigar - no-more-time to waste demeanor.)
CC: Quit your griping and tell me what you want.
(CC leans forward conveying about to reveal a secret – speaks softly with confidence. Uses index finger to thump table on strategic words.)
CT: There is a pending threat to this village. Our survival is at risk by those smokers who make their own cigarettes, the MYOs (Make Your Own). I need for you to tax their products so hard that that they can’t save much, if anything, by making their own cigarettes. Then they’ll buy ours and you’ll take in more tribute. Can you do that for us?
CC: No sweat. We are increasing the federal tax on pipe tobacco from $1.0969 to $2.8126 per pound. Is that enough of an increase for cigarette making tobacco?
CT: Get real!
CC: OK, you probably already have a number in mind or you wouldn’t have brought up the subject. What is it?
CT: $24.78 per pound. We want you to increase the federal tax on make-your own cigarettes tobacco from $1.0969 per pound to $24.78 a pound. And don’t forget the extra tax on their rolling papers and tubes into which they inject tobacco. We want the tax doubled, some tripled. We’re still working out the details.
CC: That it?
(CT gently thumps cigar over ashtray with index finger to remove extended ash while slowly looking upward towards CT with degree of satisfaction.)
CT: For now.
(CC rises rapidly, while knocking over chair to extend right hand and raise left hand with cigar as a salute>)
CC: Done! Like I’ve always said, Thieves can always bargain honorably with thieves. We understand each other.
If you can come up with a better explanation for the reasoning used by Congress to justify this disproportionate increase in MYO tobacco, I’d like to hear it. So would those who will no longer be able to afford to smoke cigarettes. A 10.6 ounce container of Stokkeybe Norwegian Shad, sufficient to make 30 packs of cigarettes, will increase from $25.75 to $43.25 April 1st. A MYO smoker can save a little by continuing to do so, but not much. Besides, how soon before the Cossacks return to extort another increase in honorarium?
Ronald Houck
By Warren Wallace
March 28, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this
“only the top 5%” my a*s
By stevebayus
March 28, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this
Why is it that alcohol doesn’t get a share of the tax increase? Isn’t it unconstitutional to pick out one group of people to support the Children’s Health Care program? Isn’t alcohol a part of the ‘sin tax’? Or is it because more of those who voted for it like their cocktails rather than a smoke after work?
By McRib
March 28, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
Thanks a lot Dumbocrats!!! And this is just the beginning! Soon they’ll be raisning mor etaxes and more taxes and more………… Nothing like working hard to give away mour earnigs to the lazy!!!
By Mobea
March 28, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
I found out about electric cigarettes. You put the cigarette in a charger and then you put a nicotine cartridge on it.When you smoke it, there is no smoke,odor and one cigarette will last the whole day. The cost for a month’s worth of niootine cartridges is about $28 a month compared to $200 a month for cigarettes. You can smoke them anywhere, as the smoke is acutally a vapor, not smoke. You get the full flavor of a cigarette, you get your nicotine fix, there’s no ashes or odor. Taste great!
By Roll Call
March 28, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
Ohio - Seante Yea OH Brown, Sherrod [D] Nay OH Voinovich, George [R]
Ohio - House of Reps Yea OH-1 Driehaus, Steve [D] Nay OH-2 Schmidt, Jean [R] Yea OH-3 Turner, Michael [R] Nay OH-4 Jordan, Jim [R] Nay OH-5 Latta, Robert [R] Yea OH-6 Wilson, Charles [D] Yea OH-7 Austria, Steve [R] Nay OH-8 Boehner, John [R] Yea OH-9 Kaptur, Marcy [D] Yea OH-10 Kucinich, Dennis [D] Yea OH-11 Fudge, Marcia [D] Yea OH-12 Tiberi, Patrick [R] Yea OH-13 Sutton, Betty [D]
By Roll Call
March 28, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this
Yea OH-14 LaTourette, Steven [R] Yea OH-15 Kilroy, Mary Jo [D] Yea OH-16 Boccieri, John [D] Yea OH-17 Ryan, Timothy [D] Yea OH-18 Space, Zachary [D]
Dayton’s Mike Turner Voted for it. Thanks DDN Reporter for telling us that in the story (Not) Great reporting!!!
By Brian
March 28, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this
Is the govt so ignorant to see the giant oxymoron this tax is? People who MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICE to smoke (aka damage their own health) be the ONLY ones taxed to fund HEALTHCARE? If this truly makes more people quit, then how’s it going to help? Say 100 ppl smoke at $3/pk, now its $6/pk but now only 50 ppl smoke b/c the price is so high. Does it really work? Basic math logic tells me no. Maybe I smoke b/c of the stress/strain the govt puts on my paycheck each week, on every pack i buy. Who knows?
By Concerned Taxpayer
March 28, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this
It seems to me the Gov’t is taxing the exact same group of people it is trying to help with the insurance program. In my inner city ghetto experience, those low income kids who are to benefit from this program are the same kids that have parents that spend enough money to smoke 4 packs a day.
Food stamps — allowing poor people to use their hard earned money for beer and cigarettes since 1935.
By painfultruth
March 28, 2009 9:34 AM | Link to this
Thank you Governor Strickland for making people pay health care for the IDIOTS that crank out litters of children while on welfare! Welcome to the UNITED SOCIALIST STATES OF AMERIKA. You brainless DEMOCRATS elected this fool - now you will PAY! Bunch of gullible saps…
By Dumb Lib
March 28, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this
Funny that this program is called “State Children’s Health Insurance Program” but mandated by the Federal Government. The Constitution is dead. NO more states rights.
By jim
March 28, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
Lets see…more taxes on a product….means less sales… that means less people making that product..that means less people needed to make a product..means… less people able to buy other products…means more people not needed to make others products…sounds like a good plan to me.
By Bushie
March 28, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this
G.W. Bush Vetoed this once and then B.H Obama (aka Barry Santoro… Look it up) and his lib cabal passed it. You get what you voted for.
By outoftown
March 28, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
I am really tired of paying for those who think welfare is a way of life. They need to get up off there butt and get a real job. I am a smoker but I respect those who don’t smoke. Open up your eyes Gov. and don’t let the smokers pay for those who are to lazy to go out & get a job. It is truly unfair that smokers have to take the hit for those parents who are to lazy to get a job. We taxpayers already for them-how much more do we have to do for them?
By Frank
March 28, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
Why do’nt they put tax on food, then we all will share.
By Taxed Out
March 28, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
The first of many tax increases by the Democrats to pay for a welfare state. If you want insurance get a job.
By Brian
March 28, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this
I’ve read just about every comment left on this topic thus far. And the biggest response is the argument that tobacco is the ONLY thing being taxed higher and higher on a regular basis. As a smoker myself, I have to agree with that 110%. Why tax me, make me pay MORE, just because I happen to smoke?? What about the alcoholics (especially those involved in politics)? Why cant we raise the alcohol tax on THEM as well? Wait, that would take more money out of a politician’s pocket. What a gov’t!
By Marcie
March 28, 2009 9:18 AM | Link to this
Guess what…they’re already charging those outrageous amounts for cigs. I paid it last week! I saw a sign on a drive-thru that said Marlboro’s were $5.20 a PACK. They are right, they should be taxing the booze, soda and everything else like that. We already wish we could stop, most of us. It’s a horrible habit. But this REALLY SUCKS!
By Dumba$$
March 28, 2009 9:16 AM | Link to this
Stop with the all CAPS
By L Berry
March 28, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this
I can see more of this coming. With a proposed budget with a deficiet of over $3 trillion, Obama is going to have to get revenue from somewhere. The energy tax is next. We already pay more than we can afford for heat and electricity. Tax and spend and nationalize industry is his motto. Obama is a Socialist and is driving our country to hell. Chavez will be inviting him down soon for a committee meeting.
By ROGER
March 28, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this
I HAVE BUT ONE THING TO SAY REMEMBER THE WALK ON WATER OBAMA SAID HE WANTED TO SSPREAD THE WEALTH WELL ALL YOU IDIOTS THATBUT HIM IN THE OFFICE SHOULD HAVE LISTEN TO HIM ENSTED OF GOOGLING OVER HIM YOU ASKED FOR CHANGE AND NOW YOU ARE GETTING AND ITS ONLY JUST BEGUN SO GET READY.SPEND THE MONEY ON ALL OF HIS LAZY A*****E BUDDY SOME BITH CONTROL AND DRUG TEST THEM ALSO BUT WAIT THATS ENVAIDING ONE LIFE CAN’T DO THAT. FOLKS JUST GRAB YOUR PANTS CAUSE S**T S**T IS GOING TO GET HIGHTER
By Uncle Carl
March 28, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
It’s about time the working folks in this country woke up. Many posts to this site appear to be of the opinion that this entitlement attitude among the great unwashed is something new, while in fact that segment of the population has been at this for quite some time. The problem is that they have just discovered that they can effectively vote funds directly out of the federal treasury and into their pockets. We need to distinguish between those who NEED help from those who simply WANT it.
By jim
March 28, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
Wake up America…it doesn’t matter if you smoke or don’t smoke..it should matter to all of us that this is more taxes on the people. The people who tax us if they don’t hear an outcry on these type of issues will in the future tax, women driving in cars using cell phones, that mr senator would raise a lot of taxes,or maybe a tax on newborns and the diapers they use, that puts a strain on the landfills or people in wheelchairs that crowd shopping malls and run over my toes…enough on the taxes
By Annette
March 28, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this
Am I the only person who questions why those who smoke seem to be the only people to pay for all of the new “programs”? If your going to take the Ohio People………..tax across the board. Tax everyone. Don’t just tax a select few who happen to smoke. This isn’t an effort to help children with no insurance. Its a pathetic excuse of yet another tax that won’t get applied where it was intended. I’m sick and tired of having my rights stomped on by those who feel somehow because I smoke.
By Howard
March 28, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this
I live in New Carlisle the one poster said something about people who need to get jobs, well here in New Carlisle we have a LARGE Latino Community and a large community of young white men who do not work, then they stay up all night running the streets in their car’s that have 10,000 watt stereos and $4,000.00 set’s of tires and wheels Paid for by tax dollars. I am tired of supporting lazy, undocumented people who are wasting good oxygen, and the water their bodies are made up of, what a waste.
By The Tax Payer
March 28, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this
support the poor. Why? well, because the dumb a*s who decided to have sex with shinequa didn’t pull out, left town or in prison for non-support. Shinequa had 10 more kids, sitting on her fat a*s,watching jerry springer,eating bon bons and collecting what? oh yeh our hard earned taxes called a welfare check. Shheeeettt. not to shabby. well, i think were the stupid ones for working our tails off, paying for tyrone and shinequa to sit at home smoking pot in front of the kids. I love this country.
By justme52
March 28, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this
This is one of the reasons I did no vote for Change!!!!
By Chuck
March 28, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this
I don’t smoke but that’s way to much of an increase. The state knows people are not going to STOP smoking, so it’s a sure revenue generator. We are all loosing our rights and freedoms. Our ancestors came to this land to get away from High taxes Now what do we do. Unfair taxes
By mankind
March 28, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this
As a non smoker,I can see this is unfair. If they tax anything (which they shouldn’t), they should tax those unhealthy children’s meals and fast food industries. Thay are the biggest problem in our nation’s health.
By Gunther
March 28, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this
Okay we get it, smoking is bad for you, so is alcohol, red meat, sugar, the list goes on. But as it was already stated what will they do when a number of folks stop smoking, or BUY THEM ONLINE, der. Lets see now we have convenient stores going under, tobacco companys going under, tobacco growers going under, hmmm sounds like more unemployment to me. Great call!
By Ann
March 28, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
I smoke and I am not an idiot. I respect anyone around me that doesnt smoke. I will never smoke in others homes, cars, wherever. It is my right to smoke and you have to see that everyones rights are slowly being taken away. They will not up the taxes on beer and whiskey there are too many drunks in Washington voting on stupid ways to take control of us.Wake up America, we are ALL losing our FREEDOM
By Sandy
March 28, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this
Hey Backwards Liberals: You mentioned you thought: “What’s next, require the top 35% of taxpayers to adopt a poor family and pay all their bills?” Have you been asleep at the wheel? Go spend a day at a Desoto Bass area or East Side convenient store (like I do from time to time when I’m there working). 100% of the tax payers have already adopted 100% of “the poor families.” That’s why most of them stand around on the streets all day talking on their cell phones and “kick’in it” with their friends. I’d be thrilled to adopt “A” poor family - because then I’d have a right to say “Get off your lazy a** and go find a job - so that YOU can pay for someone else’s lack of education, promiscuousness, laziness.”
By joe camel
March 28, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this
I think if the tobacco tax is incresed then they should raise alcohol taxes just the same. But that won’t happen because alcohol is considered “ok” and smoking is considered “evil”. This country is slowly or maybe going quickly the way of Euorope, Too high of taxes, too high gas, socialized health care, and dimwitted politicians. You can thank Obama and his band of clowns for all this!!!
By Paul
March 28, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this
Smoke ‘em if-en ya gottens ‘em. Stick ‘em outa ya ears or gitts one of them thar cuds and stuff it you know where!
By Susan
March 28, 2009 8:23 AM | Link to this
Remember the multi-billion dollar settlement with the tobacco industry several years ago? Remember how those settlement dollars were to be used in Ohio to reimburse the state for treating tobacco related medical costs paid for by the state (for treating all of those “welfare types” without insurance). And how much of that money went to medical reimbursement? None. Stop smoking “programs/advertisements” were paid for only when the state realized voters were mad as hell. But not one penny went to reimbursing the state for medical expenses. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
By daniel
March 28, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this
more porchmonkey politics!!!!wait till they tax all the booze and and see what happens when all the bars have to close down ans also this will probably lay of thousands of workers that make the cigs will they get a bailout as the car company????
By Backwards Liberals
March 28, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this
This is the backwards thinking of the liberal mind, you know liberalism is a sickness. They want people to stop smoking but they need more people to start smoking to pay for the SCHIP. Irony?? This will become another unfunded mandate on the State = More tax burden on everyone (who pays taxes). If you want to have a baby plan for it. It’s called “Responsibility”. What’s next, require the top 35% of taxpayers to adopt a poor family and pay all their bills.
By Steve
March 28, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this
April 15th at Court House Square there will be a Tea Party I invite everyone to show up! This crap has gone on far enough! The smoke nazis (many of them fat asses) have push their agenda far enough. It’s time we take back this country! This isn’t an issue of someone being concerned about my health this is a conspiracy to have someone else excert their will on others! Here’s an idea… how bout you STFU and mind your own business.
By kenneth earwood
March 28, 2009 8:09 AM | Link to this
BOB YOU KNOW YOU ARE RIGHT! WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF IDIOT’S.
By Tom
March 28, 2009 8:04 AM | Link to this
Smoking kills people. It kills people who smoke, it kills people who are around those who smoke, it has no redeeming qualities. None. Tax the heck out of it.
By me
March 28, 2009 8:02 AM | Link to this
Hey smokie, that’s a good point you made. what will they do!!!
By why
March 28, 2009 7:59 AM | Link to this
Hey how about lowing the price of products that helps you to stop smoking? Sure would be nice.