Coonsey’s World

Cigarette Taxes Going Up Again Wednesday

WASHINGTON — However they satisfy their nicotine cravings, tobacco users are facing a big hit as the single largest federal tobacco tax increase ever takes effect Wednesday.

Tobacco companies and public health advocates, longtime foes in the nicotine battles, are trying to turn the situation to their advantage. The major cigarette makers raised prices a couple of weeks ago, partly to offset any drop in profits once the per-pack tax climbs from 39 cents to $1.01.

Medical groups see a tax increase right in the middle of a recession as a great incentive to help persuade smokers to quit.

Tobacco taxes are soaring to finance a major expansion of health insurance for children. President Obama signed that health initiative soon after taking office.

Other tobacco products, from cigars to pipes and smokeless, will see similarly large tax increases, too. For example, the tax on chewing tobacco will go up from 19.5 cents per pound to 50 cents. The total expected to be raised over the 4 1/2 year-long health insurance expansion is nearly $33 billion.

I sincerely feel sorry for smokers today.  They are being singled out as the one and only so-called sinners (sin taxed) of the nation.   I was a smoker for 31 years of my life.  I quit back in 2000 after many, many times of trying to do so.  It’s a very hard habit to break, almost as hard as quitting overeating; but at least with eating you have a replacement of some sort (may not be as good but it’s filling at least), smoking you don’t.  Those people that criticize or ridicule or make fun of smokers have no idea what it’s like. 

Is smoking a choice – yes; but so is drinking alcohol, driving a car that releases gas and oil smog, chocolate eaters, donut eaters, fireplace owners, trash burners and yes, even perfume wearers, etc…  You don’t see taxes increasing on those products like you have with cigarettes in the past 15 years.  Why not?  Each and everyone can cause our insurance rates to increase because of breathing difficulties, car accidents, liver problems and obesity problems.  Each of these sins (habits) effects us all, either through our pocketbooks or through our health and livelihood.  So why are smokers singled out?

It’s probably because they are in the minority.  Too many people in Congress still overeat, drink occasionally, wear cologne, have nice fireplaces, drive old cars, etc…  Until one of those becomes the minority, smokers will continue to be the number one target.

I have to admit however, that eating seems to be the next in line.  Obesity seems to be the word of the year these days in the newspapers and on television.  Especially when it comes to children.

I know I’ve already heard suggestions from the so-called experts that we should be taxing restaurants and fast food places if they serve certain foods with certain ingredients in them.  I’ve also heard that employers are now adding your weight to the decision on whether to hire you or not, even if it’s a desk job.

And now with the possibility of a new Universal health care plan coming up, they are looking at targeting prevention health care which includes obesity.  Which means your health insurance will probably cost more, the more overweight you are, just as being smoker does now with car insurance, home insurance and health care.

It’s sad but the government is indeed walking into our homes and work places without permission.  You smoke or overeat you pay more.  Too bad they don’t go after alcohol drinkers.  I mean after all, if one is a sin, they all are — so at least we could be fair about it.

One last thought.  If all smokers stopped smoking today, where would our nation get that $33 billion dollars they now expect to raise in 4 years by adding this tax to cigarettes?