Thank you Governor Dayton!!! I could kiss you!!

[Tealady12]

We are working hard up here in Minnesota for our rights! We just got a great supporter.

Gov. Dayton has doubts about moves to restrict use of e-cigarettes | Star Tribune

 

[CabinetGuyScott]

A thinking politician!

(Governor) Dayton said he does not know whether there is definitive evidence that secondhand vapors pose a danger similar to secondhand smoke.

“Probably everything that you put into the air other than oxygen is some detriment to somebody,” the governor said.

And then there's this insight to the "logic" and hype-writing (need to copyright this new term I just made up):

“Now is the time to initiate an action so that our businesses and communities all develop under a common understanding that indoor air is free of vapor as well as tobacco,” said Sen. Kathy Sheran, DFL-Mankato. Sheran said she plans to press ahead with her bill despite Dayton’s doubts.

Among groups supporting restrictions on e-cigarettes: Blue Cross Blue Shield, the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and ClearWay Minnesota. Together, they have more than a dozen registered lobbyists at the Capitol pushing on a variety of health issues, including e-cigarettes.

Their efforts are buoyed by studies that show poisonings from e-cigarette liquids have sharply increased.

Indoor bans somehow are closely related to increased poisoning?

Back to the Gov...

Dayton said if e-cigarettes cut down on the use of regular cigarettes, as some users maintain, that may be a boon. Dayton supported an increase in cigarette taxes partly as a way to curb smoking.

“A lot of people are trying to quit smoking because of the higher price and are using this as a way of quitting smoking, which is what we want them to do,” the governor said.

It really is that simple! Society want smokers to quit and vaping facilitates that - and this governor understands it.

Congrats Minnesota, and I'll be sending this along to our reprobate Michigan gov this morning

 

[pianoguy]

Wow, I just picked myself up off the floor after reading that!

 

[TLS01]

Victory is ours!!!!...for now.

 

[zoiDman]

Just like people Should Write their Reps when they Attempt to do Something that we Don't Like/Want.

I also think people should Write their Reps when Someone in Government does something that we Do.

 

[skoony]

i left a comment as i live here in minnesoet'ha.(insert Scandinavian accent)
one comment worth mentioning from another poster.
"this is the first time i heard a politician pay lip service to us dirty lepers"
thanks for the post.
refards
mike

 

[patkin]

While I'm encouraged by the Governor's common-sense approach, I have to say it logically follows that if you want to capture revenue from the sale of anything, banning its use wouldn't accomplish that. Its just these kind of motives that may "win" the day for vaping. The ANTZ and those wanting to increase State/Fed revenues will have to duke it out. Which is actually kinda funny I think.

 

[AgentAnia]

While I'm encouraged by the Governor's common-sense approach, I have to say it logically follows that if you want to capture revenue from the sale of anything, banning its use wouldn't accomplish that. Its just these kind of motives that may "win" the day for vaping. The ANTZ and those wanting to increase State/Fed revenues will have to duke it out. Which is actually kinda funny I think.

My thought as well. And I don't think we're being cynical at all.

By all means, give the governor a "well done" pat on the back, but don't be lulled....

 

[DrMA]

I do believe he's the first gov to come out with what can be construed as an accepting position of ecigs. Kudos for that! However, like Ania said, this may be a ruse for the ultimate agenda of imposing confiscatory excise taxes down the road. Stay vigilant!

 

[ut1205]

Well done Gov.

 

[zoiDman]

I do believe he's the first gov to come out with what can be construed as an accepting position of ecigs. Kudos for that! However, like Ania said, this may be a ruse for the ultimate agenda of imposing confiscatory excise taxes down the road. Stay vigilant!

Isn't e-Liquid Taxation all but a Given?

No real Ruse or Hidden Agenda required in my mind.

 

[rothenbj]

Isn't e-Liquid Taxation all but a Given?

No real Ruse or Hidden Agenda required in my mind.

Somebody's lying. In 2012, $43.7b was collected in excise, sales and MSA taxes on cigarettes. That's a lot of addiction.

http://www.rjrt.com/taxpays.aspx

However, the cost of smoking is established in 2011 as almost $295b. "More than $289 billion a year, including at least $133 billion in direct medical care for adults and more than $156 billion in lost productivity. $5.6 billion a year (2006 data) in lost productivity from exposure to secondhand smoke"

CDC - Fact Sheet - Fast Facts - Smoking & Tobacco Use

Now the health costs don't go away immediately. I understand that. However if every smoker quit smoking today that $43.7b would be offset by the claimed $161.6b in lost productivity 3.7 times over. So where is the lie (among the many)?

 

[zoiDman]

Somebody's lying. In 2012, $43.7b was collected in excise, sales and MSA taxes on cigarettes. That's a lot of addiction.

http://www.rjrt.com/taxpays.aspx

However, the cost of smoking is established in 2011 as almost $295b. "More than $289 billion a year, including at least $133 billion in direct medical care for adults and more than $156 billion in lost productivity. $5.6 billion a year (2006 data) in lost productivity from exposure to secondhand smoke"

CDC - Fact Sheet - Fast Facts - Smoking & Tobacco Use

Now the health costs don't go away immediately. I understand that. However if every smoker quit smoking today that $43.7b would be offset by the claimed $161.6b in lost productivity 3.7 times over. So where is the lie (among the many)?

Not Saying that Tax Dollars are Not Going where they were Earmarked to Go. Or if the Reason someone said Something should be Taxed was Right or Wrong. Or that the Tax Numbers Don't Jive.

Just Saying that I can see No Possibility that e-Liquids will not be Taxed Heavily in the Future.

 

[ut1205]

"Lost Productivity"? What's the formula for putting a $ on that.

 

[rothenbj]

Not Saying that Tax Dollars are Not Going where they were Earmarked to Go. Or if the Reason someone said Something should be Taxed was Right or Wrong. Or that the Tax Numbers Don't Jive.

Just Saying that I can see No Possibility that e-Liquids will not be Taxed Heavily in the Future.

Mine won't.

 

[zoiDman]

Mine won't.

Won't What ???

 

[rothenbj]

Won't What ???

My e liquid. My disaster plan is already in place.

 

[patkin]

Somebody's lying. In 2012, $43.7b was collected in excise, sales and MSA taxes on cigarettes. That's a lot of addiction.

http://www.rjrt.com/taxpays.aspx

However, the cost of smoking is established in 2011 as almost $295b. "More than $289 billion a year, including at least $133 billion in direct medical care for adults and more than $156 billion in lost productivity. $5.6 billion a year (2006 data) in lost productivity from exposure to secondhand smoke"

CDC - Fact Sheet - Fast Facts - Smoking & Tobacco Use

Now the health costs don't go away immediately. I understand that. However if every smoker quit smoking today that $43.7b would be offset by the claimed $161.6b in lost productivity 3.7 times over. So where is the lie (among the many)?

Stats can be manipulated or spun anyway chosen for one's agenda. When folks don't get together on the spin jobs, the lies show. First and most blatant I recall seeing was Hillary's head of EPA tesfifying with second-hand smoke states... that have now been proven lies.

 

[zoiDman]

My e liquid. My disaster plan is already in place.

Gotcha
____________

 

[Tealady12]

My thought as well. And I don't think we're being cynical at all.

By all means, give the governor a "well done" pat on the back, but don't be lulled....

Not Lulled in the least. This is Minnesota "The Land of 10,000 Taxes". They have already hit us, I believe we are the only state where we already have taxes on e-juice.

From the horses mouth
E-cigarettes and e-juice are considered tobacco products and are subject to the Tobacco Tax, which is currently 95% of the wholesale cost of any product containing or derived from tobacco. For example, the Tobacco Tax on an e-cigarette starter kit is calculated on the total cost unless the nicotine cartridges are sold separately and then the tax would only be on the nicotine cartridge value. Similarly, a disposable e-cigarette may have the tax calculated on its nicotine cartridge value if the cartridge is replaceable.

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