Hearing on cigarette pricing bill set
Story last updated at 2/9/2010 - 12:02 pm
The Associated Press
JUNEAU – Should the state of Alaska set a minimum price for cigarettes? A Senate committee is expected to take up the question Tuesday.
Republican Sen. Lesil McGuire says her bill has two goals: one is to level the playing field between wholesalers and retailers; the other, to discourage smoking by youth.
) to report an inappropriate comment. Three moderation votes will hide a comment.
or 
) to rate comments. These ratings do not effect the status of a comment.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Lesil McGuire you are not a REPUBLICAN…you definately are not conservative!!!
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Here we go again – it’s for the kids! Yeah, right…..
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
lesil Mcquire is a liberal in conservative clothing!
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
The “it’s for the children” excuse again. Haha, look at how this city is spending that money.
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
You’ve got to be kidding. Is there nothing the government doesn’t want a part of?
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Coming from a liberal who voted against the cigarette tax, can we lay off the liberals? Liberal politicians don’t hold the monopoly on deceiving the public.
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Raise the price to at least 25 dollars per pack! Use some of the extra money to pay for law enforcement to cover the illegal trafficking for the clowns that will not quit. Biggest waste in a health care scheme is paying for all the cigarette related cancer, lung disease, and other related problems that are SELF-INFLICTED.
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
The higher the price, the more tax money we can extract from idiot smokers. Works for me.
Don’t like it? Quit!
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I agree! Raise the prices and taxes of cigarettes through the roof. Smokers are the clear minority, and nicotine junkies. Make it so expensive that they’ll HAVE to quit!
And that will free up our sidewalks of the stench and litter they bring with them.
RAISE BABY, RAISE!
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
yeah if everyone quits…no more tobacco tax..will have to tax something else to make up for the lost revenue..hmmm what should that be..
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
“…will have to tax something else to make up for the lost revenue..hmmm what should that be..” ALCOHOL. Both of these cause self-inflicted health problems that everyone ends up paying for. I’ve never smoked a day in my life, but because everyone in my family smoked, I am now living with asthma. People who smoke around their kids should be charged with child neglect and abuse! RAISE THOSE TAXES, clean our air, our lungs and our streets!!
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Put an excise tax on Subarus. Why should they get off scott free all of the time.
This is just like the cell phone driving ban. Just another way for the state to collect revenue when times get tough.
It is a proven fact that smokers are not that much of a drain on the medical system.
Most of them don’t live long enough to use the system. If I were a politician, I would encourage people to light them up. We need the tax money. I would lower the price so more people could buy cigarettes.
We can’t raise taxes on alcohol because that would hit too many legislature directly in the wallet.
Some of you get mad because you may step on a cigarette but when walking on the sidewalks. To me, not a big problem. What I see as a problem is people letting their dogs take a dump on the sidewalk and walking off, never cleaning up after their dogs.
Bottom line: if the state and cities want more revenue, lower taxes and regulation costs and you will see the money roll in.
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
They say it is to discourage the youth. Sad fact is, I don’t think it has deterred them at all. However, I do know many adults that have quit! The next thing they should tax is fast food and junk food! Do you know how many obesity related diseases, or the risk of getting the disease, is elevated due to obesity? Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, abdominal hernias, varicose veins, gout, gall bladder disease, respiratory problems including pickwickian syndrome (a breathing blockage linked with sudden death), and liver malfunction. Cancer risk can increase, osteoarthritis symptoms are worse. I’m sure there are many more. I think it’s rather sad that you can go into the store and buy a half rack of soda or a couple big bags of chips for less than you can buy a bag of apples!
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxcigout net free shipping
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Senator McQuire and Comrades, Regulating prices is not what you were elected to do!
Report this comment
February 9th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
While they are at it, the Legislature should equalize the retail and wholesale price of crayons, pizza and Subway $5 foot longs.
Report this comment
March 8th, 2010 at 8:42 am
I stopped smoking with the help of electronic cigarettes last May, I had been smoking for 40 years. The switch to them was easy, I smoked menthol cigs and the menthol ecigs tasted better than tobacco cigs. Now I don’t smoke anything, I feel better for it and so far have saved enough to buy a laptop for £750 and am now saving for a holiday. Whoever invented ecigs has my everlasting gratitude.
Report this comment