Massachusetts Call to Action on E-Cigarette Tax Bill

[kristin]

​

H.4291 (link) would change Massachusetts' definition of 'smokeless tobacco' for tax purposes to include electronic cigarettes and dissolvable tobacco.

This bill would also:

Increase the MA smokeless tobacco tax rate from 90% to 110% of wholesale price, and also tax electronic cigarettes and dissolvables at 110% of wholesale price.

The bill has been introduced by the Massachusetts legislature's Joint Committee on Heath Care Financing as a substitute amendment to H2452, which has been referred to Joint Committee on Rules.


Please call, write or fax the members of the Joint Committee on Rules below.

What to say:
1. You oppose H.4291 because it would redefine the state's definition of "smokeless tobacco" to include new life-saving products like smoke-free electronic cigarettes.

2. Tell your story on how switching to an e-cigarette or smokeless tobacco has changed your life.

3. Explain that the purpose of increasing cigarette taxes has been to cover governmental ...Read More

 

[SpringzVz]

If you go to the link read more link Kristen posted it gives a great outline for letters. I simply copied and pasted the outline removing the numbers and inserting my personal stories created a nice letter that I saved and will be editing it for any and all future needs to forward it. Make your letter once and keep sending it to any and all legislatures that oppose our freedoms!!!!!

 

[Uncle Willie]

The continued growth and popularity of the PV seems to get more and more attention ..

 

[JENerationX]

..........

 

[ShogaNinja]

Umm. No offense, but how is this a problem? Order from another state there are 10 billion suppliers. Pay 0 tax.

 

[JENerationX]

Umm. No offense, but how is this a problem? Order from another state there are 10 billion suppliers. Pay 0 tax.

How is it NOT a problem if states start taxing e-cig products at 110%??????? Do you think this just happens in one state and it doesn't matter if it doesn't effect you?????

 

[kristin]

Umm. No offense, but how is this a problem? Order from another state there are 10 billion suppliers. Pay 0 tax.

It's been a common ANTZ tactic to point to what other states have done as justification for doing it themselves, regardless of any lack of justification for the other states to have taken the action in the first place. As we speak, they are using the fact that other countries have banned the sale of e-cigarettes as justification for banning them in their U.S. state - even though the countries that have banned sales have had no real evidence that e-cigarettes have ever harmed anyone.

So, as soon as the first state succeeds in taxing e-cigarettes like traditional cigarettes, the other states will find it that much easier to pass similar taxes, if not worse.

 

[SpringzVz]

No offense taken except the fact that this kind of thinking keeps our society weak against those who are better organized to work against us. When we just allow something to happen to others that we would not like done to ourselves we allow the ones doing it to get stronger and our brothers to become weaker. Thinking like this weakens your defenses against it. In reality allowing it to happen anywhere is eventually going to lead to it happening to you.

 

[wolcen]

According to PlaceboEffect, this bill is no longer an active threat. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...garette-tax-bill-post6841433.html#post6841433

 

[Snus]

According to PlaceboEffect, this bill is no longer an active threat. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...garette-tax-bill-post6841433.html#post6841433

Here is the text of the message:

"GOOD NEWS: The formal session of the MA legislature has concluded. The bill is, for all intents and purposes, dead. And if it rises from the grave, we'll know about it.

Phone calls and letters are no longer needed. Those in MA should consider thanking the Majority Leader of the MA House, as he has apparently made some sort of 'no new taxes' pledge. "

Can we confirm this is true? I am in Mass!

 

[wolcen]

I'm here in MA also, and had notified a local vendor (ecig barn of middleborough) of the bill, then went and told him that it looks to be dead.

No offence to PlaceboEffect BTW, it would just be nice to know how you guys stay so in the know about these issues.

Anyway - I'm sure kristin will be confirming this soon.

 

[kristin]

I'm here in MA also, and had notified a local vendor (ecig barn of middleborough) of the bill, then went and told him that it looks to be dead.

No offence to PlaceboEffect BTW, it would just be nice to know how you guys stay so in the know about these issues.

Anyway - I'm sure kristin will be confirming this soon.

Obviously, Greg needs to post around here more often and introduce himself!

"Placebo Effect" is CASAA director Greg Conley - CASAA's unofficial "legislative director." He usually keeps the rest of the CASAA directors up on the status of the Calls to Action. So, yes, I can (ironically) confirm what Greg posted!

 

[JENerationX]

YAY!!!!!! No new taxes..... for now.

 

[Saug335]

So glad this didn't go through...another bullet dodged.

 

[JENerationX]

The second one state taxes them..... the rest will follow. I have a Zenesis mini that's completely rebuildable, and a large local network with a lot of DIY juicers, so personally, I wouldn't be touched by a law taxing or banning commercial e-cig sales. Why do I jump on this stuff anyway? I want new users to be able to get what they need. I'm not going to convert anyone to buy a $200+ dollar device and learn how to make wicks and juice. Hell, I don't make juice at this point, because I'd probably suck at it, and I can still get it for far less than a pack of smokes. I fight for the people that will never be able to DIY, and for the people that haven't yet experienced e-cigs, and won't if they're taxed out of affordability or banned from use.

 

[Fiamma]

I too, am largely independent now when it comes to PV's. I migrated this year to all big battery styles and have a few rebuildable atties with more to come. I learned (am still learning) to DIY to the point where I am making all the juices I vape and working out new ones. I stockpiled regular atties and cartos and am still doing so. I think it pays to be prepared.

I also financially support CASAA montly, go to the meetings, and am active here on ECF. I will write letters, send emails, make phone calls every time one of these issues surface. It is important that people have a CHOICE and the ability to exercise that choice must not be denied them by zealots, idiots, or big government.

There is a huge amount of money at stake here for the government, the FDA, BP and BT. They want to keep it. They care not one whit about the lives of smokers because they profit from the very things that kill them or are used to treat their diseases caused by cancer sticks.

 

[Snus]

Thank goodness this has been averted! Thanks to CASAA for all your hard work!