New Jersey Legislator Proposing Tax Hike on Smokeless Tobacco Products

[Eric A. Blair]

I have not read the bill, in fact I don't think one has been drafted yet so we don't know if electronic cigarettes are mentioned. I will keep you updated. Here is what we have so far:

Here’s one plan with promise: State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Senate health committee, has proposed raising taxes on small cigars and smokeless tobacco, up to cigarette levels — nearly $3 a package. That more expensive price point could go a long way in discouraging teen experimenters. Just as important, the tax is expected to raise about $19 million. That’s money that can be earmarked for antismoking programs and advertising aimed at young people.
Higher tax could help curb N.J. teen smoking | NJ.com

 

[tommy2bad]

So people who don't smoke have to pay to tell people not to smoke? Yep makes sense.

 

[Placebo Effect]

The Star-Ledger's piece was so uninformed (complete with saying smokeless is just as hazardous as smoking) that I had to send a letter to the editor in response.

Dr. Blair, if you happen to be a real doctor, I'd encourage you to send something. Feel free to run it by me, as I have developed some experience readying letters for publication.

 

[Eric A. Blair]

No, I'm not a medical doctor. Those pesky pre med courses in Bio and Chemistry derailed my path to glory. But we can coordinate some communications to get the truth out to our local public serpents.

 

[Bill Godshall]

If NJ sharply increased its OTP tax (NJ now taxes moist snuff at $.75/oz, and taxes cigars, smoking and chewing tobacco at 30% of wholesale price), many OTP consumers would simply go to PA (which doesn't tax smokeless or large cigars) to buy the products or will buy cigars from PA retailers who sell via the Internet).

There is no way this proposal would generate $19 million in additional tax revenue for NJ.

And if we don't kill the measure in the legislature, I think Gov. Christy might be interested in vetoing it.

Blair Horner used to be a decent guy when he was the director of NY PIRG. But ever since he began working for the ACS, he's just been repeating inaccurate and misleading talking points from the ACS national office (which were developed by CTFK). But then again, Horner would fired by ACS if he told the truth about the health risks of smokeless tobacco and cigars.

 

[BoiseMike]

Here’s one plan with promise: State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Senate health committee, has proposed raising taxes on small cigars and smokeless tobacco, up to cigarette levels — nearly $3 a package. That more expensive price point could go a long way in discouraging teen experimenters. Just as important, the tax is expected to raise about $19 million. That’s money that can be earmarked for antismoking programs and advertising aimed at young people.
Higher tax could help curb N.J. teen smoking | NJ.com

I'm sorry, but any plan that intends to raise taxes I consider much less than promising and a step in the wrong direction. Unless one likes the idea of black markets and sending customers out of state.

 

[Eric A. Blair]

If NJ sharply increased its OTP tax (NJ now taxes moist snuff at $.75/oz, and taxes cigars, smoking and chewing tobacco at 30% of wholesale price), many OTP consumers would simply go to PA (which doesn't tax smokeless or large cigars) to buy the products or will buy cigars from PA retailers who sell via the Internet).

There is no way this proposal would generate $19 million in additional tax revenue for NJ.

And if we don't kill the measure in the legislature, I think Gov. Christy might be interested in vetoing it.

Blair Horner used to be a decent guy when he was the director of NY PIRG. But ever since he began working for the ACS, he's just been repeating inaccurate and misleading talking points from the ACS national office (which were developed by CTFK). But then again, Horner would fired by ACS if he told the truth about the health risks of smokeless tobacco and cigars.

Bill, FWIW Chris Christie's mom died of lung cancer, I think he would be very receptive to tobacco harm reduction. Plus he'd love to tick off the nanny staters.

 

[Placebo Effect]

Smokeless tobacco tax hikes make little sense - phillyBurbs.com : Reader Voices

My local paper published a letter to the editor that I wrote on the issue. This is different than the one I sent to the Star-Ledger.

I'm fairly certain this is going to the Human Services Committee in the Senate, and my Republican State Senator sits on that committee. I look forward to discussing this with her, and I anticipate that she'll read my letter today.

 

[Placebo Effect]

And another. Smokeless tobacco a good alternative for smokers | NJ.com

Unfortunately, my 200 word letter was edited down to 100 words. They completely cut out the sentence or two where I note how the Star-Ledger editorial team statement that smokeless and cigarettes pose the same health risks is blatantly incorrect.

 

[Eric A. Blair]

Great job PE.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Please note that the first two sentences in the letter at
Smokeless tobacco tax hikes make little sense - phillyBurbs.com : Reader Voices
contain an inaccurate/misleading assertion, as previous cigarette tax hikes in NJ didn't appropriate (AKA earmark) any of the revenue for tobacco control programs.

Don't know if the legislation to be proposed by Vitale would appropriate OTP tax revenue for tobacco control programs.

 

[Vocalek]

Maybe the law itself didn't earmark the taxes for tobacco control, but it is quite possible that the public was led to believe that was the case.