Michigan: Excise ("Sin") Tax on E-Cigarettes - Call To Action

[sonicdsl]

From CASAA:

This proposed tax was brought to you courtesy of Altria and RJ Reynolds. *sigh*

If you live in Michigan, you need to act now to let your legislators know that you oppose any tax on e-cigarettes above and beyond a general sales tax. We've made it as easy as possible by issuing a CQ Roll Call campaign to allow you to send an email to your elected officials. The email is FULLY EDITABLE by you, and we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you (which sounds much nicer than "beg") to personalize your letter by sharing your story.

We've also asked Michigan folks to CALL members of the Senate Finance Committee to express opposition. Names and phone numbers for members of the committee are included in the blog.

A few minutes of your time can make a huge difference.

Call to Action:
CASAA: Call to Action: Michigan Legislators are Considering an Excise Tax on E-Cigarettes

 

[AttyPops]

From CASAA's site:

While Michigan consumers might regard fifteen cents per 1.5 milliliter of liquid as relatively modest for a "sin tax," the fact is that e-cigarettes shouldn't be subject to ANY "sin tax."

IDK about others, but that's not at all insignificant. That's 30 cents per 3 ml. That about doubles my DIY vape budget. But to be fair, my figure comes from internet vendors selling base. I occasionally buy from local retail shops though, but at a much higher cost per ml.

Anyone know about internet sales on this and how that would work?
Since the bill is an amendment, IDK how that 15 cent figure is derived. Will have to do more research. I'm not arguing it, I just didn't see it in the amendment. Maybe I had the wrong search terms. It's probably indirect...like the existing tax is 15% per something on smokeless somethings, and juice gets put into that category at a rate of 1.5 ml = 1 unit. (Where did THAT come from legislators?)

 

[DrMA]

This is not only about the money. The very idea of a sin tax on these life-saving products adds grave insult to injury for millions of smokers who will be discouraged from making the switch.

 

[roosterado]

E mail sent editing letter to be mail Right Now this is very bad news for Vapers IMO

 

[bobrob]

IDK about others, but that's not at all insignificant. That's 30 cents per 3 ml.

And don't forget, that is just the beginning. Here is what the one of our esteemed representatives from NC (which passed such a tax already) said about it:

"Sen. Floyd McKissick, D-Durham, called the proposed 5 cent tax a "good place to start," but he added that lawmakers may need to consider raising it in coming years as the state budget begins to lose revenue..."

I remember when the cig tax was just 30 cents a pack too.

 

[atroph]

Sorry to derail, but why in the world would the state lose revenue? "We" all know that vaping is not a smoking cessation product and all us vapers will be back to regular tobacco in due time!

 

[bobrob]

"You damned vapers! You are stealing MY money."

--said every politician everywhere

 

[Qew]

We all knew Snyder had something 'bigger and better' when he wouldn't sign the bill to ban sales to minors.

Again, I post the link to this article, it gives a bit of insight on what is really going on. Decline In Smoking & Tobacco Bonds | Spinfuel eMagazine

 

[JohnnyDill]

This is complete and utter NONSENSE. E-cig liquid contains NO TOBACCO. How can it, by definition, be classified as such? I am a Michigan vaper, and the time is now to stock up on a liter or two of 100mg nicotine.

Edit: I did my part, and sent my message to whom it may concern.

 

[AttyPops]

This is complete and utter NONSENSE. E-cig liquid contains NO TOBACCO. How can it, by definition, be classified as such? I am a Michigan vaper, and the time is now to stock up on a liter or two of 100mg nicotine.

Edit: I did my part, and sent my message to whom it may concern.

Very short summary:
The courts classified e-juice that contains nic as a tobacco product...this kept the FDA from regulating e-cigs as drug-delivery-devices (mostly in the medical sense, I suppose) but classifies it for regulation purposes as a tobacco product. Double edged sword.

So, it does contain nic extract from tobacco unless it's zero nic. Of course, hopefully the extract has 100's of times if not 1000 times less harmful chemicals than the whole deal.

 

[jwibbity]

This is complete and utter NONSENSE. E-cig liquid contains NO TOBACCO. How can it, by definition, be classified as such? I am a Michigan vaper, and the time is now to stock up on a liter or two of 100mg nicotine.

Edit: I did my part, and sent my message to whom it may concern.

I believe because the nicotine liquid used in the juice is still derived from tobacco products so technically all juice that has any nicotine in it is a tobacco product.

 

[Bill Oso]

Nothing new to add from me that everyone doesn't already know. Big Brother Gov wants their money, and so does mega corp tobacco. Email sent.

 

[Sirius]

To those that did not see this coming..so sorry. It got stuck in the NEWS SECTION awhile back.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...lans-680-million-factory-lower-risk-push.html

I won't even say I told ya so.

 

[Qew]

Well, at least one will vote against this, the sponsor of the bill! He is not hopeful he will have much support.

Skubick: E-Cigarette Compromise Rankles Ban Sponsor - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

 

[AttyPops]

Well, at least one will vote against this, the sponsor of the bill! He is not hopeful he will have much support.

Skubick: E-Cigarette Compromise Rankles Ban Sponsor - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

Rick Jones made a lot of sense. Let's hope the rest of them grow some brains. I'm disappointed with Snyder on this. If they need revenue, they can get it with general fair taxes, not with taxes targeting a small group like us while harming quitting efforts. The dollars don't add up and neither does the logic.

Might as well vote Democratic for Governor in the next election...having Snyder (a Republican) doesn't appear to make any difference anyway.

 

[Sirius]

Rick Jones made a lot of sense. Let's hope the rest of them grow some brains. I'm disappointed with Snyder on this. If they need revenue, they can get it with general fair taxes, not with taxes targeting a small group like us while harming quitting efforts. The dollars don't add up and neither does the logic.

Might as well vote Democratic for Governor in the next election...having Snyder (a Republican) doesn't appear to make any difference anyway.

Repubs..Dems..same thing..See Libertarian!

 

[Lisa Belle]

Done. I did the call to action. Hoping it does some good. Vapers Vape On.

 

[y cherry y]

Very short summary:
The courts classified e-juice that contains nic as a tobacco product...this kept the FDA from regulating e-cigs as drug-delivery-devices (mostly in the medical sense, I suppose) but classifies it for regulation purposes as a tobacco product. Double edged sword.

So, it does contain nic extract from tobacco unless it's zero nic. Of course, hopefully the extract has 100's of times if not 1000 times less harmful chemicals than the whole deal.

The court did NOT classify it as such. The judge merely suggested that the FDA might try regulating it that way. He made no ruling except to say that it was not a medical device.

 

[AttyPops]

The court did NOT classify it as such. The judge merely suggested that the FDA might try regulating it that way. He made no ruling except to say that it was not a medical device.

Thanks. Yeah...I guess I should have said something to the effect of they more or less suggested the FDA regulate it under that classification (at least, that's what they are doing). Not that they actually classified it. So my bad.

Funny. I've been in the "it gets it's own classification" camp forever.

 

[The Rebel]

Message from another beat down, disappointed, and over-taxed Michigander has been sent.