Let's Tax E Cigs like they are regular Cigarettes!

[fray]

I understand why the govt is doing this. We are in the hole and looking to generate some income. What I hate about it is the people that are smoking will be stretched a little more when they are already on a stretched income. how can this be good for our economy?

A report from the CDC shows that there are a higher number of smokers below the poverty line than those above. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5320a2.htm

Talk about a tax for the poor.

 

[JustaGuy]

Not quite Winston Churchill on the defense of Britain...

We shall tax them on the beaches, we shall tax them in the field.
We shall tax them past their death, when there's nothing left to yield.

 

[tmcase]

Done and with comments.

 

[babyblueut]

Done for me too!

 

[bryansthl]

What I don't understand is how can they tax e-cig when there not being regulated yet?

I had cast my vote and a comment a few days ago.

 

[txteatime]

OK, I voted and added my comments, too! I really don't think my senators would vote for this foolishness.

 

[Ckitt]

Voted and added comments. Such a blasted shame that we're limited by characters on the comments. I had more to say than what i wanted originally.

 

[DarkFalconX]

My message to Congress:

I oppose S. 1403: IDEA Full Funding Act because...

Taxing tobacco products such as snus, e-cigarettes, and dissolvable orbs that are far less harmful than tobacco cigarettes at such a ridiculous level is irresponsible and reckless. These products are saving lives including my own. I have been smoke free for nearly 6 months now and in far better health than I have been in years thanks to my e-cigarettes.

With the focus on reducing healthcare costs being such a priority, why would you want to make it prohibitively expensive for people to switch away from smoking to alternatives that will help keep them healthier?

Think about all the lives that are in your hands when you are making your decision on how to vote on this one. A vote in favor is blood on your hands.

I urge you to vote NO.

Thank you for your time.

 

[fray]

I wrote to my senator more about the impact of raising the tax for cigarettes would have on the economy. I threw in some info about e cigs and asked why cigars are exempt.

I have written to him many times and he usually calls me up to discuss whatever topic I bring up. so hopefully he gets back with me tomorrow.

 

[Antoly]

I've already voted NO before but thanks for this thread anyway. I think all ECF people should know about this bill and vote.

 

[Twisty]

Well, if this happens, I would expect all US based juice manufacturers would go out of business because people would either order Chinese juice or go back to the cheaper alternative of smoking analogs.

If they want money that badly, what they should do is remove corporate personhood and close any and all tax loop holes across all income ranges. But, of course, that would be too simple for the political bureaucracy to support.

I'm with you there. A person making 10 grand a year should pay the same rate as a person making 1 million a year. No deductions, credits or exemptions. Everyone should have skin in the game.

 

[tyleris12]

Just bumping so more people will vote/voice their opinions!

 

[TUS172]

I guess not that people care that they may have to pay quadruple the price they currently pay for juices. Not to mention that the nic % may be regulated as well.

 

[MagnusEunson]

It should be noted that they also list Twitter & Facebook followers of the organizations.. although CASAA's FB states aren't tied in.

So consider following CASAA at Welcome to Facebook - Log In, Sign Up or Learn More and CASAA (@CASAAmedia) on Twitter to boost the impact.

-Magnus

 

[Dicot]

Done.

Did they really have to throw this in with funding for special needs education? I mean I agree those kind of programs need funding but come on, that's a little bit of a low blow.

First of all I find it absolutely ridiculous that juice and lozenges are going to be taxed at an equivalent rate to cigarettes. Seriously, words don't describe how irrational that is considering public health is always waved around as the reason for tax increases when it comes time to suck the smokers dry again. Not to mention, where's large cigars tax increase or why is the patch mysteriously missing from the amended definitions of smoke-less tobacco? Play favorites much?

The scary part about what this could mean for ecigs is the other tobacco products clause that rothenbj quoted. Decided "on an estimated per use basis as determined by the Secretary" Uh what? For a bill that is going to enacted Jan 1 2012 shouldn't you have some numbers on units or at least methodology of what is a unit when it comes to juice? Hopefully per use will be a measure of volume, because if it is mg nic we are screwed.

It's a shame that a bill with such good intentions is poisoned with this blatant idiocy.

 

[JustaGuy]

Oh, they always say that, it's for the children, the poor, the needy. Those billions collected from BT from lawsuits? Guess where the money went...

 

[poetofisis]

Opposed. Corrupt ...... anyways... This is akin to making the ......ed kid the getaway driver for a bank robbery.

 

[Iffy]

Guess where the money went...

To the lawyers that then contributed to the politicians!

 

[Rowan Mayfair]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I voted.

 

[dave8944]

I think others in the thread on the legislative news board have said this bill is essentially DOA. I think it's also unlikely to become law because legislation dealing with taxes have to originate in the House, not the Senate. Isn't that true? I think the house gets huffy when the senate does something like this and vote it down.