Updated!! Pennsylvania: 40% tax = game over for vape

[swampergene]

What do you think would happen if we simply said "NO". Would we be arrested? Fined? Or worse? Just think if all the vapers in the US just said no. They can't arrest each and everyone of us, can they? How long do you think the courts would put up with that? The jails are full now, and the people are getting tired of footing the bill for cable and the benefits the prisoners have, so what do you say?
LOL

I think this is becoming more and more a reasonable question. It's bad enough with the FDA regs coming, but the PA tax issue really gets personal. These laws make possession - for ANY reason - of tobacco product where the 40% has not been paid a crime and yes they state "possession" by any "person". No "except for personal use"...merely ANY possession. They are looking to replenish what we took away from the sin tax coffers. They never told us we were branded for life!

 

[pennysmalls]

What do you think would happen if we simply said "NO". Would we be arrested? Fined? Or worse? Just think if all the vapers in the US just said no. They can't arrest each and everyone of us, can they? How long do you think the courts would put up with that? The jails are full now, and the people are getting tired of footing the bill for cable and the benefits the prisoners have, so what do you say?
LOL

I've had the same types of thoughts too but every time I start to let myself go there I remember that our government can get down right nasty. If the fines are big enough they can place liens on our homes and garnish our wages. Basically control our lives.

 

[Vandal]

What do you think would happen if we simply said "NO". Would we be arrested? Fined? Or worse? Just think if all the vapers in the US just said no. They can't arrest each and everyone of us, can they? How long do you think the courts would put up with that? The jails are full now, and the people are getting tired of footing the bill for cable and the benefits the prisoners have, so what do you say?
LOL

I think those of us who are stocking up are saying NO. I think others will say NO by finding other avenues of purchase. From what I can tell, any of us from both camps that find ourselves in PA are at risk for fines, jail-time, or at the least harassment.

There may be lots of vapers who don't know they can say NO, who feel lumped in with smokers who've taken it all on the chin, and so feel powerless.

 

[Rossum]

What do you think would happen if we simply said "NO". Would we be arrested? Fined? Or worse? Just think if all the vapers in the US just said no. They can't arrest each and everyone of us, can they? How long do you think the courts would put up with that? The jails are full now, and the people are getting tired of footing the bill for cable and the benefits the prisoners have, so what do you say?
LOL

Saying "NO" as an informed individual is easy if you stockpile, and I believe the risk of consequences is very low. However, most vapers are still oblivious, or in denial, having convinced themselves that this is all going to blow over. Now businesses that openly flaunt the law are a totally different matter. There is no doubt in my mind that Leviathan will crush them, which will leave those who are unprepared in a difficult situation.

Let me make an analogy: If you have a cow, you can drink all the raw milk you want and nobody will bother you about it. But if you try to SELL raw milk, well...

 

[swampergene]

There may be lots of vapers who don't know they can say NO, who feel lumped in with smokers who've taken it all on the chin, and so feel powerless.

Like a bad dog we have taken the beating, some of us for a good portion of our lives. It's sad how truly inferior smokers have been made to feel as human beings, and it's perpetrated by our own government.

 

[snork]

vape Loud, vape Proud.

Today I vaped in two restaurants, two airports, an aeroplane (yes, I just spelled it like that) and a bus.
Yes, we're getting our butts kicked. Those of us left alive after this cataclysm will be the only evolutionary link to the vape life forms of the future. They can't kill us. They can tell us no and we can shake our heads in agreement and then resume vaping as if nothing happened, continuing to preach the gospel. We may have to lose a couple million smokers' lives in the meantime but we shall overcome.
How's that for a pep talk?

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I've had the same types of thoughts too but every time I start to let myself go there I remember that our government can get down right nasty. If the fines are big enough they can place leans on our homes and garnish our wages. Basically control our lives.

Isn't that what is happening now tho? If they can get away with this, whats to stop them from continuing on to other areas that affect our lives. The process of losing our individual rights has been happening now for at least the last 20 years or so, slowly. This is being felt much more widely because it affects so many more people at the same time.

 

[Woofer]

BTW - This Forum needs a Uniformly Recognized Sarcasm Font Colour.

Sarcasm is weak, you can do better.

 

[Vandal]

Isn't that what is happening now tho? If they can get away with this, whats to stop them from continuing on to other areas that affect our lives. The process of losing our individual rights has been happening now for at least the last 20 years or so, slowly. This is being felt much more widely because it affects so many more people at the same time.

It's been death of our liberties by a thousand cuts. The boiling frog thing. Too many people just aren't noticing until they're cooked. I'm not even sure our liberties mean anything to most of them anyway. As long as they have their conveniences and shinies, does anything else really matter?

We may be a dying breed, those of us who care.

 

[Rossum]

Isn't that what is happening now tho? If they can get away with this, whats to stop them from continuing on to other areas that affect our lives. The process of losing our individual rights has been happening now for at least the last 20 years or so, slowly. This is being felt much more widely because it affects so many more people at the same time.

For over 100 years now, the American people have accepted the notion that government has the authority to control what they may or may not consume, although the pace does seem to be picking up lately.

 

[Woofer]

Smokers used to be everywhere. High visibility. That didn't do them any good.

Smokers were accommodating, reasonable, timid and as invisible as possible too.
Oh I have to sit there instead of there to smoke, yeah ok no big deal, that was the start of it.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

It's been death of our liberties by a thousand cuts. The boiling frog thing. Too many people just aren't noticing until they're cooked. I'm not even sure our liberties mean anything to most of them anyway. As long as they have their conveniences and shinies, does anything else really matter?

We may be a dying breed, those of us who care.

I, for one, am really glad our service men and woman don't fit in the category of not caring. Or the vets. I would image they would be highly upset if they thought the people and principals they have fought for and/or still fighting for doesn't mean anything.

 

[pennysmalls]

Isn't that what is happening now tho? If they can get away with this, whats to stop them from continuing on to other areas that affect our lives. The process of losing our individual rights has been happening now for at least the last 20 years or so, slowly. This is being felt much more widely because it affects so many more people at the same time.

Yes, that is what is happening already. I've said this once before here and I'm sure some won't agree.......I don't think people can accept what it would actually take to change things. It's going to take something huge. We aren't a violent society and our government knows it.

 

[snork]

Pep talk part 2
I live in Colorado. Your perception of me has me sharing a box of Cheezits with the Governor with our gourds baked like pumpkin pie. Anything can happen.

 

[ENAUD]

What do you think would happen if we simply said "NO". Would we be arrested? Fined? Or worse? Just think if all the vapers in the US just said no. They can't arrest each and everyone of us, can they? How long do you think the courts would put up with that? The jails are full now, and the people are getting tired of footing the bill for cable and the benefits the prisoners have, so what do you say?
LOL

They won't jail us, just hit us each with hefty punitive fines and get even more money from us. It's a rigged game.

 

[Belhade]

I think this is becoming more and more a reasonable question. It's bad enough with the FDA regs coming, but the PA tax issue really gets personal. These laws make possession - for ANY reason - of tobacco product where the 40% has not been paid a crime and yes they state "possession" by any "person". No "except for personal use"...merely ANY possession. They are looking to replenish what we took away from the sin tax coffers. They never told us we were branded for life!

So wait...is this really saying that you can't bring cigarettes in from other states either? You can only possess what you buy in state? That is...insane...

 

[zoiDman]

Sarcasm is weak, you can do better.

Yes... I'm sure I Can.

 

[grandmato5]

So wait...is this really saying that you can't bring cigarettes in from other states either? You can only possess what you buy in state? That is...insane...

Yes, the rules have been in place for many years that say if you purchase cigarettes outside of Pa you still owe taxes on them and if not paid you can be guilty of a felony, $5000 fine and 5 year inprisonment. Many states have a similar law.

What if I fail to file a return and pay the taxes I owe on purchases of cigarettes over the Internet, mail order, or other cigarette retail stores located outside the state of PA?

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Yes, the rules have been in place for many years that say if you purchase cigarettes outside of Pa you still owe taxes on them and if not paid you can be guilty of a felony, $5000 fine and 5 year inprisonment. Many states have a similar law.

What if I fail to file a return and pay the taxes I owe on purchases of cigarettes over the Internet, mail order, or other cigarette retail stores located outside the state of PA?

But this applies to residents of the state of PA. If a traveler from out of state happens to have a few packs of smokes on them, I don't think this applies.

 

[Belhade]

But this applies to residents of the state of PA. If a traveler from out of state happens to have a few packs of smokes on them, I don't think this applies.

Actually, that's exactly what I think it says. Just trying to clarify.