HR1676 - shipping untaxed tobacco to be a crime

[IntoxiNation]

Funny, I have a friend that is a non (cig) smoker but smokes way too much pot, and he made this exact point to me the other day.

There was a city in Ohio a few years back (may have been Akron) that passed a smoking ordinance. It was $150 fine for violating it, yet if you get caught smoking a joint it's only a $125 fine. The local DJs were having all kinds of fun with that one.

[ninjapuff]

It looks like this bill was fast-tracked. It was passed by the House on the 21st: GovTrack: House Vote On Passage: H.R. 1676: PACT Act

It's now in the Senate as S. 1147: S. 1147: A bill to prevent tobacco smuggling, to ensure the collection of all tobacco taxes, and for other... (GovTrack.us)

[TropicalBob]

This bill is a killer for harm reduction alternatives available primarily or exclusively by Internet order. Let's hope it never escapes committee hearings.

[LaceyUnderall]

Funny, I have a friend that is a non (cig) smoker but smokes way too much pot, and he made this exact point to me the other day.

speaking of which... does anyone know of any good studies that may have been done that show with the decrease of cig smoking an increase of drug usage of the smokeable kind: crack, ......... and meth?

it would be interesting to see if smokers who are quitting due to the cost and availability and not for health reasons, are possibly switching to other alternatives.

[CharlesMaples]

I wonder if crime has gone up as a result. Here in Arizona a 2-pack-a-day smoker has to pay about $15 for their habit. On the east coast it could be over $20. At crack-like prices like that, there has to be a spike in petty theft. Just a thought...

already has been happening here Cigarette thefts are way up

[jim420]

Going to be cheaper to smoke crack or ......... before long.

...and probably lower penalties.

And the above is the exact reason I vape and quit analogs. I won't let the barstewards win.

[jim420]

Funny, I have a friend that is a non (cig) smoker but smokes way too much pot, and he made this exact point to me the other day.

Yeah...I have one of those "friends", too. "Hey Doc, my 'friend' has this problem."

[ellanceo]

speaking of which... does anyone know of any good studies that may have been done that show with the decrease of cig smoking an increase of drug usage of the smokeable kind: crack, ......... and meth?

it would be interesting to see if smokers who are quitting due to the cost and availability and not for health reasons, are possibly switching to other alternatives.

You are kidding right? Cigarettes in general go hand-in-hand with all of those drugs you just mentioned, and I can't think of a single person in my large-numbered group of friends, who all happen to use, that would actually consider that an option.

Maybe we just live backwards up north, but no one up here is going to buy more pot/crack/meth instead of buying cigarettes. It's not as economical as you would think, and there isn't much logic there health-wise.

On the contrary, I'm SURE there is a study out there somewhere. If you find it, do share!

[dawnmarie]

here in vegas you get govt help if your addicted to herion but cigs you get nothing but tax hikes.......

they even give addicts money as inw elfare.

[Faethe]

Do any of you all think this will relate to snus? Like if you get them from Sweden? I know there is an import limit of 2 cartons before you get taxed. Unless this changes that?