February 13, 2003

CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR:

$2 Federal Cigarette Tax Hike Sought: Increase Could Cut Use And Save Lives, Health Commission Tells Bush (Ceci Connolly, February 13, 2003, Washington Post)
A federal health commission on smoking is recommending that the Bush administration raise the federal tax on cigarettes from 39 cents to $2.39 a pack, arguing that the huge increase could prevent 3 million premature deaths and help 5 million Americans quit smoking within a year.

At least half of the $28 billion expected to be generated by the tax increase would be invested in anti-tobacco efforts such as a national quit line, a major advertising campaign and insurance coverage for federal workers seeking treatment.


Better take that $28 billion and put it into Social Security. We save a lot of money when these folks die prematurely and don't pull down the benefits they'd get over a full lifetime. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 13, 2003 8:54 PM
Comments

Mr. Judd;



Didn't the Canadians try this a few years back and had to roll it back because it lead to gang land violence over cigarette smuggling?

Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at February 13, 2003 9:27 PM

Well, it was probably Americans bringing them in...

Posted by: oj at February 13, 2003 9:56 PM

Canadians or New Yorkers? :)

Posted by: Kevin Whited at February 14, 2003 12:18 AM

All;



There was smuggling all over but the largest conduit was a Native American reservation that spans the border between the US and Candada, making it easy to avoid customs. If I get the chance I'll find some articles and put a post up on it.

Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at February 14, 2003 4:22 PM

All;



I know this is a dead post now but since I spent some time on it I'll just refer to some articles
I found.

Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at February 15, 2003 9:19 AM
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