Jeff Stier on Townhall.com -- Sane Sin Tax Policy Must Reflect Risks

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Sane Sin Tax Policy Must Reflect Risks - Jeff Stier - Townhall Conservative

. . .

The use of smokeless tobacco, while not 100% safe, comes nowhere near the risk. That is because it is not burned and not inhaled. Therefore, it doesn't come with the major risks of heart disease, lung cancer, and systemic illnesses caused by smoking.


Yet cigarettes and snus are taxed at about the same rate, even though their risks are vastly different. It is like taxing a 64 ounce serving of soda about the same as a 12 ounces. This is where Indiana caught up with the science and changed their tobacco tax rate. They encoded in law their finding that "the tax rate on smokeless tobacco should reflect the relative risk between such products and cigarettes."



This marks the first time any state has codified such a rational rationale.

Very good writer from a consistent supporter of tobacco harm reduction.

 

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Good find. Now we can quote him as an expert when we send letters & testify on taxing issues.

Your link did not work for some reason. I went to the homepage and did a search and found it here:
http://townhall.com/columnists/jeffstier/2011/06/01/sane_sin_tax_policy_must_reflect_risks

 

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And another relevant Stier piece.

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