US Senate Bill to tax e-cigs and OTP like cigarettes

[DrMA]

http://halfwheel.com/four-u-s-senators-propose-tobacco-tax-changes

Our old foes Durbin, Blumenthal concocted another atrocity. This time, they tie into the FDA deeming to defraud vapers like smokers and tax the independent vaping industry into oblivion, thus protecting the cigarette market and BT.

This bill must not pass, but it also emphasizes the absolute imperative to prevent FDA from defining non-tobacco smoke-free vaping as a tobacco product.

 

[edyle]

I guess that means they might start taxing Nicorette now?

 

[DC2]

I guess that means they might start taxing Nicorette now?

No, this bill is about the taxation of things classified as "tobacco" products.
Nicorette is classified as a drug and is subject to an entirely different regulatory system.

 

[zoiDman]

When the Text of the Proposed Bill is Published, can someone please post it in this Thread?

Text: S.450 — 114th Congress (2015-2016)All Bill Information (Except Text)

As of 02/15/2015 text has not been received for S.450 - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax rate parity among all tobacco products, and for other purposes.

Bills are generally sent to the Library of Congress from GPO, the Government Printing Office, a day or two after they are introduced on the floor of the House or Senate. Delays can occur when there are a large number of bills to prepare or when a very large bill has to be printed.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/450/text

 

[catlady60]

Believe me, this bill won't see the light of day, not with a Republican Congress.

I have no use for the GOP, but in the case of e-cigs, they're on the right side.

 

[DrMA]

Believe me, this bill won't see the light of day, not with a Republican Congress.

I have no use for the GOP, but in the case of e-cigs, they're on the right side.

You're probably right, but I'm weary that GOP love money as much as Dems. They might just see this as a way to raise more money without appearing to raise taxes.

 

[catlady60]

You're probably right, but I'm weary that GOP love money as much as Dems. They might just see this as a way to raise more money without appearing to raise taxes.

The GOP loves to raise taxes, but only on those of us who can't afford to pay. This way, they can raise taxes without calling it a tax hike because the poor will be hardest hit.

 

[KC33]

The GOP loves to raise taxes, but only on those of us who can't afford to pay. This way, they can raise taxes without calling it a tax hike because the poor will be hardest hit.

seriously......

 

[stevegmu]

The GOP loves to raise taxes, but only on those of us who can't afford to pay. This way, they can raise taxes without calling it a tax hike because the poor will be hardest hit.

Can you provide some examples of this?

 

[AndriaD]

The GOP loves to raise taxes, but only on those of us who can't afford to pay. This way, they can raise taxes without calling it a tax hike because the poor will be hardest hit.

Aren't we always? The rich just keep getting richer, robbing the poor.

Andria

 

[klynnn]

Looks to me like there are quite a few rich Dems running around out there that like to call themselves poor. Why blame it on the GOP... they all wear the same hat just in different colors.

 

[bobwho77]

Can you provide some examples of this?

Kaansas, for one,

 

[stevegmu]

Kaansas, for one,

The GOP raised taxes on poor people in Kansas? Poor people don't pay income tax...

 

[DrMA]

Four U.S. Senators Propose Tobacco Tax Changes | halfwheel

Our old foes Durbin, Blumenthal concocted another atrocity. This time, they tie into the FDA deeming to defraud vapers like smokers and tax the independent vaping industry into oblivion, thus protecting the cigarette market and BT.

This bill must not pass, but it also emphasizes the absolute imperative to prevent FDA from defining non-tobacco smoke-free vaping as a tobacco product.

Please, guys and gals, don't let partisan bickering and OT discussions sidetrack opposition to this CRUCIAL bill. Let us use this atrocity to expose the motives of these desk murderers - to defraud the American poor in service to commercial interests in the Pharma and Tobacco industries at the expense of 44 million lives.

 

[Endor]

Please, guys and gals, don't let partisan bickering and OT discussions sidetrack opposition to this CRUCIAL bill. Let us use this atrocity to expose the motives of these desk murderers - to defraud the American poor in service to commercial interests in the Pharma and Tobacco industries at the expense of 44 million lives.

DrMA, couldn't agree more, but you can't help but see "D-xx" after all these Senator's name... especially for those of us dealing with this party at the state and local levels over here on the Left Coast. I know I did an eye-roll....

But, to help DrMA get back on topic, right now (prior to FDA deeming), this doesn't really impact us yet. Truth is, if the FDA deems e-cigs, tobacco taxes will come; that is just another unfortunate byproduct of e-cigs being classified as tobacco.

With regards to this bill specifically, I see that the Cigar Association of America is pushing back on this hard (especially since it appears they are currently getting a real tax break). I recall that it seemed most of comments about the FDA proposed deeming were from cigar smokers, so they may have enough clout to get some push back... and certainly more than we have right now, as we're not impacted parties to the law at the moment.

 

[zoiDman]

Shouldn't we at Least see the Text of the Proposed Legislation to Evaluate just what an Atrocity the Bill is that was put forth by these Desk Murders?

 

[AndriaD]

Please, guys and gals, don't let partisan bickering and OT discussions sidetrack opposition to this CRUCIAL bill. Let us use this atrocity to expose the motives of these desk murderers - to defraud the American poor in service to commercial interests in the Pharma and Tobacco industries at the expense of 44 million lives.

I agree... but where's the CASAA CTA for this? Is there some simpler, MORE EFFECTIVE way to protest, than just trying to round up email addresses and sending our own emails? I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Andria

 

[Bill Godshall]

This bill has zero chance of being considered by the Senate Finance Committee.

Durbin's press release (stating the bill would also apply to e-cigs) is at
http://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsro...ce-legislation-to-close-tobacco-tax-loopholes

But I think it's very important for vapers to contact their US Senators to urge opposition to SB 450 (because it would tax lifesaving vapor products at the same rate as lethal cigarettes) while also urging their Senators to oppose the FDA's proposed "deeming regulation" that those same left wing Democrat Senators urged the FDA to propose and recently urged FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to issue a Final Rule before the end of April at:
Senate Group Urges FDA to Regulate Electronic Cigarettes - U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts

Unlike S. 450, the "deeming regulation" (that would ban >99.9% of vapor products now on the market, and give the vapor industry to Big Tobacco) could very well be imposed by Obama's FDA (as it doesn't need Congressional approval).

 

[SHOCK COLLAR]

last time I looked an Eagle needs both wings to fly

 

[kkay59]

I think people need to unite against this idiocy. Please don't bicker along party lines. If we argue elephants vs. donkeys, we will be at the bottom of the steaming pile of pooh, that will be left. I am struggling to make ends meet as it is. Most people that I know are struggling as well. Enough is enough. We are being taxed out the ying yang, and frankly I'm so well done on this, I'm burnt to charcoal gray.