Would an increase to the Juneau cigarette tax change your smoking habits?
See related story: City to consider raising tobacco tax
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 at 5:26 am and is filed under City, Health / Living.
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July 15th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Who cares?
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July 15th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Social engineering by special interest. Any questions why our economy is in shambles, infrastructure in decline? Elected folks spend more time deciding what is in your best interest not managing the business of being a city: Water, sewer, education, roads, harbors.
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July 15th, 2009 at 6:23 am
It wouldn’t change my smoking habits. I don’t smoke.
Raise the tax. Tax it until it bleeds. Tax it until there are no more people smoking on the sidewalks and I don’t have to pass through a cloud of their stinking disgusting stench.
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July 15th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Since I don’t smoke, probably not.
But if ciggy taxes bring in more money for water, sewer, education, while reducing the number of smokers in this town, I’m all for it. Let’s tax meth and oxy while we’re at it.
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July 15th, 2009 at 7:11 am
i dont smoke, but taxing something that is already heavily taxed is extremely unfair to those that are already paying steep taxes just because they do something others do not like. This is an unfair and judge mental.
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July 15th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Is the tax to raise revenue or punish smokers?
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July 15th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Read the article, Donald. The intent is to reduce the number of youth who start. Price is a big factor to them, so if they can’t afford cigs, they won’t get hooked on them.
For the addicted smokers…quit if you think the tax is so unfair. And by all means complain loudly amongst yourselves in your little smoking areas outside of your workplaces. You’re all victims. No doubt.
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July 15th, 2009 at 7:35 am
I smoke and I agree with the city’s increase in tax. Cigarettes are much cheaper here than they are in other Alaskan cities and there are still a lot of people who smoke there. Perhaps this will give me the motivation to quit. Perhaps I will chose not to eat instead. Who knows. Smokers are always talking about quitting and how bad it is for them but never seem to actually do it. Maybe if they started replacing the nicotine in cigarettes with coffee beans, we could become less addicted more energized citizens. Regardless, I vote YES for a tax on cigarettes.
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July 15th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Non-smokers are whats phat.
Quit if you don’t like the tax cause it will pass.
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July 15th, 2009 at 7:42 am
I say they could raise a lot MORE money for the city coffers if JPD would actively enforce the litter laws. Write a ticket to each and every smoker who thoughtlessly throws the butts on the ground or out the window of their car. $250 each offence. Folks, it’s EXACTLY the same as tossing a wadded up newspaper or a paper coffee cup on the ground or out of your car. If you wouldn’t do that, think about it. And while we’re at it? After you’ve had a garage sale, COME BACK AND THROW YOUR SIGN AWAY!!! I say after Tuesday it’s also litter and JPD should write them a ticket too – not hard to find them, the address is right on the sign.
Seriously – too many thoughtless slobs in this town.
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:02 am
well more taxes..if it will work with other need areas then go for it, but at the same time cigarettes have gone from about $6 to $8 in just 2 years..People are still smoking and don’t really care what price they are at i can see some people quitting when they are $10 a pack, not all though. For youth is a good idea but once they are hooked they will pay the $10 too..Alot of them smoke already in a survey my school did out of 175 kids 80% of them smoked during school hours reguarly everday. I think Alaskans need to work on changing the image of smoking. Its not all about money its about saving the youth from a very deadly habit.
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Matt Felix is a joke… Kids don’t start bad habbits because they are cheap… I guess by that logic if Oxy was $300 instead of $180 a pill we wouldn’t have this drug problem? Mr. Felix is just trying to keep the funding for his lack luster position. Why don’t they do a saturated fat tax while they are add it. More people die from the health risks associated with being a lardo then smokers.
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Do you really think that raising the price on cigarettes is really going to make a difference to a teenager, who is going to smoke no matter what the price is? Sure you can make more commercials, radio ads etc… but is it really working on the youth? People are going to do what they want regardless of the price. Sure it is great to help people try to quit or not to start at all. Why not split the tax in half and put the other half on alcohol, appartently the price for it raises and people still buy it. If your going to put a tax on one you need to tax the other.
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:30 am
I dont smoke, and all you anti smokers out there think your so smug, raise the tax, if they do it on things like this continously, they will just keep taxing everything and anything. Juneau has become a ridiculous place anymore. Hope you all enjoy your taxes for everything and anything.
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:39 am
As a teenager, I began smoking (unfortunately). I am currently trying to quit, and have made quite a bit of progress. However, I know for a fact that most teens don’t buy their cigarettes (how can they? it’s illegal!) They STEAL them from parents, other kids parents, parents friends, older siblings and however else they can. (open car window) A tax on cigarettes is NOT going to stop teens from smoking – or adults either. Health problems or just wanting to be healthier is going to make smokers quit. Prices on many things have gone up over the years – that hasn’t stopped anyone from continuing to buy the things they need/want. I agree with Dan – Matt Felix IS a JOKE! I once saw an entire case of wine with his name on it sitting in a local liquor store waiting for pick-up. Hope you paid the proper taxes on your alcohol Matt!
Now – why not start taxing bacon double-cheeseburgers with a super-size order of fries?:
Latest Obesity Statistics
USA Obesity Rates Reach Epidemic Proportions
58 Million Overweight; 40 Million Obese; 3 Million morbidly Obese
Eight out of 10 over 25′s Overweight
78% of American’s not meeting basic activity level recommendations
25% completely Sedentary
76% increase in Type II diabetes in adults 30-40 yrs old since 1990
Obesity Related Diseases
80% of type II diabetes related to obesity
70% of Cardiovascular disease related to obesity
42% breast and colon cancer diagnosed among obese individuals
30% of gall bladder surgery related to obesity
26% of obese people having high blood pressure
Childhood Obesity Running Out of Control
4% overweight 1982 | 16% overweight 1994
25% of all white children overweight 2001
33% African American and Hispanic children overweight 2001
Hospital costs associated with childhood obesity rising from $35 Million (1979) to $127 Million (1999)
Childhood Metabolic and Heart Risks
New study suggests one in four overweight children is already showing early signs of type II diabetes (impaired glucose intolerance)
60% already have one risk factor for heart disease
Surge in Childhood Diabetes
Between 8% – 45% of newly diagnosed cases of childhood diabetes are type II, associated with obesity.
Whereas 4% of Childhood diabetes was type II in 1990, that number has risen to approximately 20%
Depending on the age group (Type II most frequent 10-19 group) and the racial/ethnic mix of group stated
Of Children diagnosed with Type II diabetes, 85% are obese
SOURCE: Wellness International Network Ltd – web.winltd.com
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I think it’s not very smart to raise the taxes in order to “prevent teens from smoking” what do you really think their going to do ….. An addiction is an addiction no matter what, if they cannot afford it, the number in robberies will probably go up. So yes I agree, raise the smoking tax so we can rob the people who don’t smoke, and make sure you put your cigarette out on their porch!!
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I’m a non smoker, and believe this is a bad idea. I agree with others, young folks are going to smoke no matter what the price is. Each time the tobacco tax is raised they use this same excuses. “It’s for the children” I am so sick of that line. I also don’t believe it has made one bit of difference in the past. This is nothing more then to raise revenue. Our leaders have already said the city is short on funds, can you think of a better way to raise the city coffers then to tax something they know will pass? Oil and food will be next on the list, you watch.
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I agree with SnowFlake. I’m a teenager in the high school and an addiction is an addiction. Teens are affording Oxy at almost 200$ a pill and what makes you think they won’t start stealing money or selling stuff to afford ciggs? Its not a smart idea just going to cause more and more problems …. if kids wanna smoke they’ll find a way. Make it easier on all of us and don’t raise the tax, I don’t feel like having my car/house broken into for more drugs.
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:58 am
and going through the high school I’m about to enter my senior year… I hadn’t seen many people start smoking ciggs till this year, and most are a year ahead of me. most are of or close to legal age if you made the smoking age 18 like it is everywhere else you wouldn’t have as big of a problem.
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July 15th, 2009 at 9:14 am
The people at NCADD are out of control.
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July 15th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Yes to raise the tax – no to raise the tax…
What it all really boils down to is… what are we all going to do about the problem of having youth smoking?
Raise the tax – Youth find ways of getting cigerettes
Don’t raise the tax – Youth find ways of getting cigerettes
If raising the tax makes the city feel better about it – then so be it, but do something with that tax money to help stop youth from wanting to take up smoking
I hear the commercials on the radio – provide THEM with more money to help improve those messages and to make more of them.
TV commercials too!
And what about School education? – Incorporate that some more too
Its not just Youth that these should be targeted too – Its starts with Adults too.
Parents show their children examples too – Provide Parent more information on how to quit
Show real life examples too on TV – Get down to the real DIRT of smoking –
Smoking affects the OLD & YOUNG
Educate your employee too – They set examples too.
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July 15th, 2009 at 9:52 am
the logic in the article made no sense, on the one hand they talk about raising taxes reducing teen smoking (demand) on the other hand they talk about how huge the revenue would be if the tax was increased based on what the current demand is. If the whole goal is to reduce demand how is tax revenue given current demands even relevant? And if your assuming that demand is so inelastic that few people are going to quite (leading to this surge of tax revenue), how is raising taxes supposed to deter teen smoking? I dont smoke cigarettes often, partially because its already so expensive and partially because I just dont have the desire (i prefer a nice cigar or pipe myself), but raising taxes to deter teen smoking is just treating the symptom, not the disease. The tax seems pretty high already, and making the jump from 30 cents to a dollar is pretty outrageous, I *might* support a smaller hike to see just how effective it really is but again its just treating the symptom and not the underlying cause, try educating teens instead so that they understand the risks involved and see the long term consequences, if they still insist on smoking let them, its their life!!
another failed news article on part of the Empire in my opinion
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July 15th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I don’t have any faith whatever this will significantly effect teen smoking rates and like some others on here am tired of that line of thought being used to justify everything from swimming pools to punative taxation in the name of social engineering. And if it really does cut down on the number of smokers what’s to become of this revenue source? It dries up but the city’s appetite for revenue (since there’s no end to what they spend our money on) remains. Then they look to replace it with a different tax. It will also encourage a black market like it does for everything else people want and the government regulates heavily or forbids.
Just look around at what states are doing with tobacco settlement money that was supposed to be used for weening people off the stuff- they divert it for whatever purpose they can get away with. Talk about an out-of-control addiction.
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July 15th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Research shows that smoking addictions have biological implications, and ‘choosing’ to smoke is less of a ‘choice’ for those who are biologically vulnerable. This is a serious issue even before we consider the environmental factors.
Education is the key. Not funding for education – actual education, information that makes a difference.
Research also shows that smokers are less likely to vote. Voting to raise cigarette taxes is just an easy way to produce revenue – there’s very little opposition.
Think about this: If you have a family who is biologically vulnerable to this addiction, so then you have a father and/or mother who are both possible smokers, therefore a vulnerable child – what do you think the family will purchase when the child needs new basketball shoes and there’s only $60.00 left in this months budget? Exactly! Stop punishing the children for things that are beyond their control and start creating real solutions.
I agree with Snowflake. The rash of break-ins we’ve been hearing about – probably related to the high cost of undesirable addictions, which by the way, are undesirable to the person with the addiction as well.
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July 15th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I am a non-smoker and raising this tax so kids will stop or not pickup the habit is the worst idea I’ve heard in ages (Right up there with building TMHS).
Kids don’t buy their own ciggs, and even if they did, they would still buy it and be more poor!
Stop taxing the smokers just because you can’t stand the smoke – No one is forcing you to sit next to one.
Smoking is bad, we get it, so is eating fast food everyday, and boating without a lifejacket, and speeding – People still do it.
Are you going to raise the price of gas because people speed down Egan? Didn’t think so.
Let people smoke, let people not smoke, who cares! If they want to tax smoking, then tax beer – God knows this town drinks enough of it.
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July 15th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Raising taxes on human addiction ultimately leads to more hungry children and more criminal activity. While it is one way to combat the issue, it has proven to be inneffective in reducing the number of smokers we see.
Dont people see how unnattractive they look when they smoke?? I dont get it :-O
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July 15th, 2009 at 11:05 am
From the Centers for Disease Control:
“Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Each year, more than 400,000 Americans die from cigarette smoking. In fact, one in every five deaths in the United States is smoking related. Every year, smoking kills more than 276,000 men and 142,000 women.” [it's also, to my knowledge, the only product that kills you when used precisely as directed.]
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/cig_smoking_mortality/index.htm
Currently, nearly sixty percent of medical costs are paid with public funds (tax dollars) and, overall, healthcare spending represents about 16% of U.S. GDP–the highest percentage among industrialized countries.
http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/abstract/hlthaff.27.5.w349v1
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/25_NHE_Fact_Sheet.asp#TopOfPage
In short, cigarette smoking is the deadliest preventable health risk in a country where the majority of health costs–representing a significant portion of overall public funds–are funded by tax dollars.
I have little confidence in the ability of government to single-handedly solve any problem; however, it is clear that there is a strong public interest in discouraging smoking through nearly any means available.
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July 15th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Sorry Tamara, I disagree. Both my parents smoke. I do not. I CHOSE not to. It disgusts me to the core. Nobody puts a gun to someone’s head and says, “SMOKE OR DIE!” It is a choice. The vulnerability aspect you refer to is bs. If someone is vulnerable as you suggest, it is still a choice. Some people just have stronger wills than others.
I agree with the person above who said that if we want to raise revenue that we enforce the $200 fine on cigarette butts. Post one plain clothes cop outside any downtown bar on Friday night, and I bet you would raise $5000/night just for fines! Post another outside the state office buildings during the day and get another $5000. The end result would be cleaner sidewalks and more revenue!
Oh, and yes, raise the cigarette tax. Raise it through the roof! If it prevents just one teen from starting to smoke, then it is a complete success.
And to the right-wingers on here who spew the same buzz-words as the talk shows you listen to, please choose another buzz word than “social engineering”. It’s overused, and frankly, it doesn’t occur. You just think it does because Rush says so.
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July 15th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I thought it was illegal for teenagers to buy cigarettes, raising a tax should’nt make no differnece now should it
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July 15th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Where’s the money going? Why are they singling out smokers we’ve already been taxed excessively maybe we should see where all the money the smokers have contributed to taxation has gone? If you’re going raise taxes pick on the non-smokers and see if they like it!
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July 15th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Awaiting Moderation. again…..so I will tone it down some…..
If it gets even one person to quit or to never begin smoking it is worth it! Because of all the problems associated with smokers (smell, litter, added health costs, stench, etc) that non smokers (like me) have to put up with I feel it should be taxed even more. Look at all the crap that went on just to keep it away from non smokers (both patrons and employees) in the bars around here. Should add another buck or two per pack tax to pay for someone to write tickets (scumbag litterbugs) -hire someone new just to do this since the present doughnut eaters can’t handle it-it would provide another needed JOB that would pay for itself! And hire another person to clean up after all the idiots that think it is ‘cool’ to throw their crap on the ground from the new tax.
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Raising taxes on ciggarettss is not going to stop teenagers from smoking it’s just the governments way of justifying taxation when will it stop? You don’t see anyone taxing alcohol and if you look at the statistics there’s more crime and more lives lost to alcohol then smoking how come you don’t go after them?
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I find it interesting all this time and thought is being put into a higher tax on cigarettes and unfortunately not more is focused on alcohol. This substance along with oxy and other narcotoics tear about our community and our families far more than cigarettes.
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Using the logic that increased taxes will reduce usage I guess the answer to the drunk driving problem is slapping a huge tax on alcoholic beverages. I would venture to guess that at the present time we have more drinkers in this town than smokers.
If your going to tax people with bad habits to death, get them all.
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Yes, tax tobacco. Over time higher prices will have an effect.
Alcohol does a huge amout of damage to our community but there is no way the politicians would have the guts to increse taxes.
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Porcupine – I applaud the Will you have that is stronger than the Will of some others ( I don’t mean this sarcastically, I mean it sincerely), but one favorable statistic does not a solution make.
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Buzz-words, such as ” if only one child is saved’? Or “If it prevents just one teen from starting to smoke.” Or “Do it for the children.” Kisser, agreed with what you said up to the last 2 paragraph.
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Some of your anti-tax raising logic is silly.
The contrary to what you are arguing about kids stealing more if cigarettes are more expensive is…If cigarettes are free, than crime will decrease.
Just because certain things are regulated or illegal and on the black market doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be just because somebody might do something illegal to procure them.
The fact is, raising the price on cigarette will make them less accessible to everybody, including children. If somebody has to take an extra step to steal something, or work an extra hour to earn the money to buy cigarettes, it makes the habit more difficult to maintain (or get started on).
And the relationship between tobacco related illnesses and the taxes brought in by tobacco products are extremely unbalanced. In truth, the meager amount of taxes raised will still not cover this state’s cost of treating tobacco related illnesses, but it is a step in the right direction.
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Apparently no one at City Hall remembers what prohibition did to the sale of alcohol. Sooner or later someone is going to realize the immense profit available from the sale of black market (not taxed) tobacco products.
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July 15th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Abolish all “sin” taxes and let ER doctors turn away the uninsured. That way smokers and chronic drinkers, along with the obese, will die sooner, lightening the load on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
We could legalize all drugs and institute a national sales tax. Each state would get a portion of the tax equivalent to what their citizens buy. Alaska would rake in the bucks since we have the highest alcohol and drug abuse numbers in the nation. I’m guessing we are at least in the top 10 for cigarettes as well.
BTW, I’m ready for it to be legal to smoke in bars again – get those dirty sinners off the street please.
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July 15th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Like sheep to slaughter & lemmings over the cliff. Keep letting the few create their socialist society we will reap the harvest we’ve sown. Mr. Duncan mentioned the budget shortfall. Now we’ve Mr. Felix ready to help fix it (the budget shortfall) on the backs of those that have no voice because of the evil unhealthy lifestyle they live. After all he’s got (his skewed) facts listed as he/they did when smokers had to go into the streets to practice their foul & dirty lifestyle.
Per pack Other tobacco products
Juneau 30 cents 12%
Anchorage $1.30 45%
Mat-Su $1 45%
Sitka $1 45%
Barrow $1 12%
Source: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Juneau affiliate
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July 15th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I agree that people should have the right to kill themselves if they want too, but NOT at the expense of others. If a higher tax will help lower the $$$ that each of us spend on health related issues due to smoking related problems I say go for it
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July 15th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Bill hold on, no worries oboma’s gona take care of everyone unless you live an unhealthy lifestyle say like eat too many cheese burgers & fries then your gona wait in line (a long one). then after he’s socialized health care he’ll make sure we dont over heat the world (even thou he keeps the white house at a comfortable 80 degrees.) & no one making under 250K a year will have their taxes raised. (lets not mention the proposed nation wide sales tax being talked about.)
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July 15th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I would be for taxing smoking even more if the supporteres of this would drop the “Think of the children” crud and tell everyone what they really want – No one around them smoking.
This isn’t about the teens, this is about elitests wanting to go anywhere in Juneau and not smell the smoke. They got the bars, but they still have to deal with the co-workers smoking 10-15 feet away from the building, or the guy smoking near the bus stop.
Teens will smoke even if you raise the prices. This is about the adults who still smoke and smoke all day. Adults already smoking won’t stop, they’ll only buy less food or perks instead.
So for the love of God, stop using the over used “Think of the children” line. You can only think of the children so much.
The children didn’t want to go to school later in the morning, the children didn’t want a new high school.
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July 15th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I am an ex-smoker and raising the taxes… wouldn’t make me quit, that’s for sure.If your an addict, you’re going to pay whatever price it takes to get what you “need” unfortunantly.
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July 15th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
enough, IT is the Republicans with all the talk of NO MORE TAXES and not caring about the the people that CAN NOT afford health care that got us into this mess in the first place. There are people in this world that work hard, make just enough $$$ to live on, but CANNOT afford to also pay for the high cost of health insurance for themselves and their families.. I guess people like you feel that they should just role over and die
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July 15th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I support the tax, but…Why do we not enforce the law? It is illegal for a minor to purchase cigarettes. So if you see one smoking, they are breaking the law. Cite them. See if that has an impact on the problem.
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July 15th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
WOW AGAIN.. how many times does the city need to raise the taxes on cigs?? Seems all the smokers and ppl who drive cars are funding the town.. enuff already.. its over 65.00 a carton for the cheap crap. Raising taxes on cigs WONT stop kids from smoking anymore then raising it on booze, the latest accident of those kids proved that sadly. They need to find something else to get tax monies from, and leave the gas and cigs alone for a while.
AEL&P got us this winter, city on cigs and gas, post office on stamps.. WTF ppl.. raise my salary if your going to get my wallet any emptier.
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July 15th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Attempting to legislate behavior through taxation is disgusting. You’d think as this country moves forward we would increase our freedom, not decrease. Mountain climbing is dangerous and results in injuries that increase health care costs, lets tax that. Lets tax driving, that’s dangerous as all get out. Lets tax any food that isn’t tofu and granola. Call this what it is, taking away our freedoms but doing it through our wallets instead of an outright ban, and then pretending that it’s okay.
First they came for the smokers, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a smoker. Then they came for the cheeseburger lovers, and I didn’t speak up because I was a vegetarian. Then they came for the alcohol users, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t an alcohol user. Then they came for the motorcyclists, and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a motorcyclist. And then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up.
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July 15th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Tax coffee instead, There are plenty of people addicted to that and that would bring bookoo bucks for anything that the non smokers want.
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July 15th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Here’s some data showing that raising cigarette taxes DOES reduce youth smoking. But don’t let facts get in the way.
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0146.pdf
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS176299+26-Jun-2008+PRN20080626
The adults who are most likely to quit due to tax increases are the poorest adults. And since they’re also the ones most likely to require public resources to pay for their health care, we all win big time when they quit. Like in reduced taxes.
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July 15th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I’m a non-smoker and I’d love it if more people didn’t smoke. I saw a couple relatives die of smoking-related illnesses and I fear for my relatives, friends, and coworkers that still smoke. But I’m not sure that taxes are the best method to encourage teens to never try smoking or to get adults to become former smokers.
If the city intends to raise the tobacco tax I’d like to see the city demonstrate they need the additional revenue to fund health-related programs or that tobacco-related health problems are costing. Raising taxes on anything without need for revenue doesn’t make sense to me. So I’d only be behind such a tax if the city demonstrated it’s need.
Also with regards to littering, I’ve always wondered why the littering law is enforced so poorly and why we choose to fine people. Why not enforce littering but change the penalty to litter clean-up? I’d rather see someone who tosses a cigarette, soda can, or food wrapper on the ground when driving or walking be forced to clean up a half-mile or mile section of road than pay a fine that goes to some general fund.
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July 15th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
I don’t smoke tobacco so it will have no impact on me. However, it might have an impact on others. I am in favor of the tax since tobacco is the real “gateway drug.”
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July 15th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Bottom line, our elected officials are elected to represent the will of the people. The will of the majority of people are non-smokers. Therefore, we should not protect smokers, we should protect non-smokers.
I am in favor of any law or tax which will keep these addicts away from me, my building, the businesses I go to and the air that I breathe.
Signs like “no smoking within 10′ of a doorway’ amuse me. First, it’s never enforced. Secondly, I can smell the stench of a car which has a smoker from 50-100′ away. Go to any downtown bar when the front door is open, and the nicotine junkies are out there doing their thing, and the smoke comes barreling in, making me stink.
Cigarette smokers are drug addicts. Period. I support their right to smoke as much as they want….as long as I don’t have to breathe it and to be a part of their addiction.
If smokers had the slightest bit of respect by not smoking around the non-smokers, this war would not be occurring. But, they insist on smoking in groups, in front of doors, then they think it’s sexy to throw their butt on the ground and do it all again 20 minutes later.
Ever sit through a 2 hour staff meeting with a couple of smokers? All they can concentrate on is their next fix. They squirm, they look at the clock, and first break, the RUN outside for a fix. It’s sad and disgusting. Then they come back to the meeting, stinking like a skunk in the elevator and the board room. I get up and move.
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July 15th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Who knows? It will fuel the city coffers, no doubt, so the funds will be used for whatever dream project next comes down the pike. More important, why has the option for citizens to comment on ALL of the articles in the online “empire” been (apparently) forever removed? Yes, we are bad children, I guess, so deserve to be controlled. What a dis-service to the community. Why are we relegated to responding to these “queries” phrased in whatever the Empire staff feel is the best way to ask a question? I hope to (some) god journalism and public discourse is not dead in Juneau.
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July 15th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
More fuel for the city coffers heh.
I want to commission an artist to make a 25′ bronze statue of a pile of bear carp. That’s more appropriate to the mentality of this town than the whale project…let the tourists get the true representation of our ‘community’ here.
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July 15th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Kudo’s to the legislature for holding the special session in Anchorage!
Juneau best wake tf up if it wants any chance of remaining the capital.
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July 16th, 2009 at 4:09 am
Looking forward to the day when stinking cigarettes cost 20 bucks a pack! Stupid people will keep smoking though-but maybe they will begin to pay for all the problems they cause-especially health related.
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July 16th, 2009 at 5:05 am
What’s more important, building a bronze whale (the city still is spending 1.2 million on site prep. despite the fact that the $500k was shot down for the actual sculpture), or preventing teens from smoking. You can take the money from that and use it for teen drug prevention programs.
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July 16th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Nope. Cigs sure are an easy scapegoat anytime someone wants to increase revenue for whatever reason.
Speaking of wasting money: Let’s talk about that sweet whale project the big shots of the city approved of because of who(s) instigated it…with NO public input…which is costing our tax dollars an upfront half-a-mill, with no assessment of annual upkeep. If *I* (a nobody) had gone down to the city and asked for this, it wouldn’t have ever been heard of again. I wish the Empire would do a story on who started this project and why it has been railroaded through without public input…other than the giant scream of “NOooooo!” heard when they appropriated a bucket-load of money which was then pulled back because of the angry crowds. This is a huge project money-wise, but even huger when it comes to the impact of being a life-size whale (hello Nimbus!) sticking outta the land. Where is the outrage?
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July 16th, 2009 at 5:21 am
Juneau at its best once again! An yes Im a non-smoker! Some of the comments here couldnt be more off!
Sorry but if a teen can come up with a couple hundred bucks for A pill (one pill) doesnt seem their gona have much trouble coming up with ten bucks for a pack of cigs! Much bigger issues in Juneau to deal with first!
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July 16th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Haha. I wrote my Whale comments, not realizing it had already been brought up! I’d bet this project is Not supported by the masses. Not even close.
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July 16th, 2009 at 6:06 am
No taxes on cigarettes! In fact, cigs should be provided free. But no filters, and an extra helping of tar & nicotine. Let’s get smokers flushed out of the system as fast as possible.
And set up special smoker debilitation centers where the dying smokers can hang out, puffing cigarettes through their tracheotomy holes and from their wheelchairs. No life extension medical procedures will be provided. All youth, from the age of 12 on, are required to spend two days a month helping out at the centers. Let’s see how ‘cool’ they find smoking after that.
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July 16th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Increase the tax on cigarettes by $1. Increase the tax on alcohol-on the night of the third there were a lot of inebriates walking around if we raise the tax we won’t have as many littering, drunk driving and fighting citizens. Nor will we have as many children drinking. Isn’t it about the children? I drink maybe two cases of beer a year so another $5.00 will not hurt me at all. Increase the cost of each beer by 5 cents. Seriously if you can’t afford the extra 5 cents then you shouldn’t be drinking at all.
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July 16th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I am not a smoker, but all of the anti-smokers out there really need to get off their high horse! Smoking is an unhealthy habit, yes, but it is also HIGHLY addictive. The “just quit and it won’t be a problem” attitude is just plain naive. It takes the average smoker eight tries to quit smoking, and no, that isn’t because smokers are a bunch of lazy idiots—it’s because smoking really is as addictive as everyone says it is. The fact of the matter is, despite how gross cigarette smoke smells, smokers still have every right to smoke outside and don’t deserve to be under constant attack by people who feel so superior, even though many non-smokers still indulge in fast food and alcohol.
With that said, I am all for the raising of cigarette taxes, but only if the money goes towards something useful. I do not believe for a second that increasing the cigarette tax will do anything to deter young kids from smoking, nor do I think it will be a good enough reason for smokers to quit, but if the money goes to good use, I say go for it.
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July 16th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Raising the tax will only make me glad I quit. 2 years, 4 months and 8 days and counting. Smoked for 20+ years and quit 3 times. Fortunately in my case 3rd time was the charm. I am NEVER going through that again.
Make tobacco illegal and give those who are addicted a prescription so they can still get their drug. Oh yea, what about all that money we will lose if we make it illegal?????
They don’t want people to quit, they just want to get as much $ out of it they can by squeezing it.
What we need is a government that will feed us slop that doesn’t get us fat, keeps us in perfect health and keeps us from killing others via DUI (driving under the influence), SHS (second hand smoke), or being an ID ten T (ID10T). We need a government that will coddle us from cradle to grave and all we have to do is work 9 to 5 and the rest of the time sit at home and watch our version of the Roman gladatorial games (football, basketball, baseball). That way we can be good little tax payers and keep the rich rich while we live on the dole. Yea, sounds great!
NOT
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July 16th, 2009 at 9:15 am
I’m gonna start smoking so much!!!
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July 16th, 2009 at 10:45 am
wow, once you start taxing, you can’t stop! Years ago I laughed when my family thought that the alcohol and cigarette tax would save the day for California. Just because they don’t smoke or drink, they were all for it. I had to let them know that soon will come the tax on Jelly Doughnuts, and fast food. ha ha Well, all of you that don’t smoke or drink, vote in whatever tax you think will save your day. Just remember that once you start you can’t stop….. your favorite vice, or chips, or fast food etc. could be next! Whatever happened to no more taxes? Why can’t the government learn to live within it’s budget, like they expect the citizens to? By the way, whatever happened to the idea of doing drug tests on people receiving assistance? Maybe this would help to bridge the deficits? Don’t pass, don’t get paid…. think about it.
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July 16th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Raise the tax on cigs, for “the good of the children” to discourage them from buying cigs that it is illegal for them to purchase???
Is it uncomfortable to anyone else that the righteousness police are now deciding for legal age adults what ‘bad’ habits we can choose? What about when they start deciding that people who are overweight shouldn’t be hired for positions because studies show they will cost more to insure? Then we can have legions of unemployed over weight people who can’t afford health care or decent food that won’t continue to make them obese! Won’t that be great for their kids?
How about, as it has been mentioned above, dealing with the drugs that these kids are taking, oxy, meth, etc at $200 a pop? How about the alcohol abuse, responsible for countless tragedies including just recently a JDHS graduate?
I understand that cigarettes are bad and cause a great deal of health costs but I also understand many other things such as drugs, alcohol, and speeding in autos, etc. cause the same. What about the medical conditions like high blood pressure, untreated depression, chronic stress and especially diabetes that cause the same? If you want to help people get over those issues who want to and are willing to work at them fine. This smacks of a quick way to tax adults for a nasty habit that no one wants to stand up for just to raise some revenue. Please don’t say it’s for the good of the children….
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July 16th, 2009 at 11:03 am
I know, we can use the whale sculpture as an ashtray. Then all the smokers could get together and put out their cigarettes in the reflecting pool.
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July 16th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Smoking is the #1 cause of premature death in this country. Source: CDC And that doesn’t account for the huge health care and social costs that we all end up paying.
Sure, deal with alcohol, saturated fats, speeding cars, etc. But start with #1 first.
Don’t like taxes? Fine. Then what’s YOUR plan for dealing with it? I laid mine out above. It would work.
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July 16th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I outlined my plan above also…. If we did drug testing on people receiving assistance, then the pool of those would shrink………. Think about how much money would be saved. It would work… or at least maybe get some off drugs, which by the way, adult behavior is a major factor in influencing children’s future behaviors. We could get people off drugs, (maybe even save their lives, or at least try to get them motivation to start working,save some children and decrease the funding going out to pay for programs. WOW
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July 16th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Thank you ToddP for saving us all from ourselves. You’re like jesus, only more holy.
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July 16th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Life Liberty and the pursuit of, Cigarette are the major cause of all the other diseases that you mentioned. Get rid of the smoking habit and then the rate of other for mentioned diseases will lower too
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July 16th, 2009 at 11:59 am
PS I also say Fine those that smoke around their children. I find it very disturbing to see adults with small children puffing away and blowing the smoke out with their children around. I have so many times wanted to go up to those people and ask them if they knew that they we endangering the health of their children
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July 16th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Dan, I’ll personally buy you a carton of unfiltered Camels. My contribution to improving the gene pool in Juneau.
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July 16th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I know lets get everyone!! Add more taxes to cigs an alcohol both! ohhhhh an Im very much in favor of them adding a $5 tax to anyone who visits McDonalds an other places such as that! Maybe a toll charge to even drive on Egan would be good too! Its all about the money they can make, not about protecting kids… If that were the case they would be dealing with the real issues in Juneau! Like underage drinking an drugs.
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July 16th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
$.30 per pack tax? Wow, I never knew smokers in Juneau had it so good. I’m from Mass. where there is a state cigarette tax of $2.51 per pack. My sister is 21 and has smoked since she was a teen, but now sometimes finds herself with enough cash to get a pack, so she goes without. Good old monstrous taxes did that. Might not work for all people, but it’s a start.
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July 16th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
tax the heck out of booze, then the kids and teens cant afford it and wont drink and drive and get into accidents, the drunks in pocket park wont be wizzing all over downtown and panhandling for tourists, and that cranky drunk lady wont try and jump in my truck asking me to take her to places.
while your at it.. make it so the foodstamp quest cards WONT allow ppl to buy Starbucks and junk food with it.. those are supposed to help ppl buy food for kids.. I would call a mocha a dire food need for a food stamp questcard. TAX them too… I have seen MANy ppl at freds and safeway buying chips, candy, starbucks and other crap with them, and when ppl who NEED the card, cant.. wasting tax money again aye?
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July 16th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
How about we tax people who are having sex, that way it covers all the bases when they have childern, then each year they are alive we tax them more, or lets tax the tax on everything, hey everyone has vises of one kind or another if your going to tax the smokers then you better tax the drinkers, and tax all the free loading animials in our state and lets tax etc. get the point.
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July 16th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
ToddP, the health care costs are a fallacious argument. A Dutch study recently proved that since smokers die on average 7 years earlier than their normal weight, non-smoking peers they actually cost the public healthcare system significantly LESS than a healthy non-smoker. The obese cost the taxpayers less than the healthy, but more than smokers. So, go scream and yell about the fatties instead of targeting the smokers. Oh, wait, that’s right. Screaming about the fatties isn’t politcally correct.
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July 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
OK Gimme, then take a look at my 6:06 comment. That should align well with the Dutch study (that you quote, but fail to reference).
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July 17th, 2009 at 2:21 am
You Idiots! Don’t you realize that the Government has no right to tax you at all? Whether it be Sales, Income, Property or Vice…Get real!
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July 17th, 2009 at 6:02 am
“For the addicted smokers…quit if you think the tax is so unfair. And by all means complain loudly amongst yourselves in your little smoking areas outside of your workplaces. You’re all victims. No doubt.”
For all you NON-SMOKERS with the ALL DO GOODER ATTITUDE KISS MY A$$, why do non-smokers put other people down, are you better than us ToddP? it doesn’t bother me when they put more tax on cigarettes
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July 17th, 2009 at 6:33 am
You need to go light up, Big D. You’re getting a bit touchy. Time for a fix.
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July 17th, 2009 at 6:44 am
These little taxes don’t approach the real cost of smoking, drinking, overeating and the overwhelming drain on the healthcare system caused by them. People eat themselves into oblivion, smoke until they cough up a piece of black lung, drink till their eyes blaze yellow and then turn around crying “I can’t afford the healthcare I need”.
TOO BAD should be the answer. You blew your $$$ on booze, junk food and cigarettes instead of responsibly saving your money for retirement. “I didn’t realize…” and “It’s so hard to…” don’t justify syphoning off billions of dollars to hand to people who don’t take care of themselves. The same people then jump into a late model truck while gabbing away on their cell phone.
Alaska funds people who harm themselves and cause their own diabetes, obesity, hypertension and liver destruction. They have almost zero funding left for people who did nothing to harm themselves but have illnesses like arthritis, autoimmune diseases, etc.
If someone wants to smoke on their own property and aren’t near enough to kill peopel with their second hand smoke…more power to you! Want to driunk yourself into a coma at home? Go for it! Eat till you puke and too lazy to exercise? Why not?
Just don’t come crawling for public funding or scam off health insurance to fix what YOU do to yourself. Those people should be the ones who are rated, uninsurable, etc. They shouldn’t be allowed into a regular health insurance pool or be able to scam public funds to buy their liver drugs or oxygen tanks.
If you take a sledge hammer to your car; does insurance pay for the damage you cause to your own car?
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July 17th, 2009 at 7:43 am
I love it when the no taxers come with their hand out for healthcare paid for by someone else.
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July 17th, 2009 at 8:51 am
ToddP your telling ppl to lighten up after your telling them you’d be happy to buy them a carton of ciggs to help the die faster ?
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July 17th, 2009 at 8:53 am
i dont smoke either, and i dont like having walk through a crowd of smokers. but i do have respect for a persons life. ToddP your rude comments are just as unhealthy as a ciggerette. you are the one that needs to “lighten up”
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July 17th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Can I see a show of hands here?
How many of you that smoke will sit near a campfire and deeply inhale the smoke from that fire when it comes your way? If you have common sense you all move away from it because if you don’t–your eyes will burn, you’ll begin to cough and your clothes and hair will smell of smoke.
Why is it then that you don’t mind inhaling the smoke from a cigarette that is full of toxic waste into your lungs? Where is your common sense then?
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July 17th, 2009 at 10:03 am
This is just another failed way for the government to collect money under the guise of “we’re here to help”. Just like other social programs that we continue to throw more and more money at, collecting more tax money to help curb tobacco use just isn’t going to work.
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July 17th, 2009 at 10:59 am
That’s it I’m joining the sisters & moving to convent
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July 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I haven’t told anyone to ‘lighten up’ …Says. I told Big D to ‘LIGHT UP’ as he was clearly getting irritable due to a dip in his brain nicotine level, with his shouting and all.
And regarding your admirable concern for life, I’m not forcing anyone to smoke the cigs, just offering them up. You don’t believe in personal responsibility?
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July 17th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
ToddP, do you have anything better to do? Not only are you contributing NOTHING to this forum, you’re also being asinine and immature. You don’t like smokers, we get it.
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July 17th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Working smokers into a lather is purely personal entertainment. What more do I have to ‘contribute’?
And yes, I AM asinine and immature. Thank you for your keen observation, Befuddled.
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July 17th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Nicotine is one of the most powerful DRUGS known. It is also one of the most difficult to stop using. for people to say just allow the die is SO SO wrong. Most smokers DO NOT want to continue to smoke, but have a difficult time stopping. IF ANYTHING can be done to prevent people from starting to smoke it would be to betterment of all
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July 17th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
ToddP – your 1:10pm reply is the best of the day! Thank you sir.
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July 17th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Tax coffee (at stand’s not in stores) more heavily with a luxury tax. That will bring in revenue. What about a ugly expensive, trendy clothing tax. It would be only sh***y for those who use, and it would save us all from looking at them. What about an useless internet tax, on things like Facebook and Myspace. The talk around those has to be at least as offensive as the smoker’s stench. And what about a tax on words… because some people’s mouth need to be charged in order to open. That’s bound to solve all of our issues…
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July 17th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Did sending smokers outside of the bars each time when they want to lite up stop those guys to stop smoking cigarettes? It did not. No matter how high the price of cigarettes those people still will be buying as long as they have a job and when they don’t have a job as long as they can steal and pawn. Those people will kick their habit whenever they choose to kick it however until then they will continue buying their cigarettes at whatever price for them at the cash register.
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July 17th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Has the Capital City learned anything? You cannot Tax your way into prosperity, like the Obama regime is trying to do with health care!!!
Raising taxes on cigarettes & alcohol is an old scheme!!!
Who can argue???
It is a blank check whether you smoke or not drink!!!!
Make them vote before the people!! Before any Taxes are raised!!!!
Rember this this Alaska!!!!!!
It effects your family members, whether you smoke or not!!!!!
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July 17th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
However the smokers can think of newer higher taxes as a personal contribution to Juneau’s transportation projects, construction projects, buses, roads, city gardens, city building maintanence, and community services. So the extra tax smokers would be paying on each cigarette will not be wasted.
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July 17th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Extra Shift?? Anybody??? Hurry up!!
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July 18th, 2009 at 6:55 am
As I said above, I don’t use tobacco and I don’t agree with this tax. When the powers to be realize this cash cow has run dry, Flora, they will start taxing other items. Raising tax on oil, food come to mind, I’m surprised they haven’t raised taxes on toilet paper yet. Stacy; hang in there, the way this administration is trying to control our life styles what you say will soon come to truth.
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July 18th, 2009 at 8:44 am
ToddP…I think you really care about smokers it’s their nasty cigarette habit you don’t like.
Your tactic on here is that of antagonism but with an obvious message to smokers to Quit.
Your method has worked in getting them all worked up and your comments are very clever and entertaining to say the least.
I think it has made them think and that’s a good thing…..
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July 18th, 2009 at 9:04 am
When I was at the McNugget intersection yesterday I was looking at tall the BUTTS on the ground from the Dirty smokers, thinking it’s all right to litter, I hope it does effect the pocket book, those smokers have NO RESPECT!!
Man, that cigarette taste good…it doesn’t hurt my pocket book (evil laughing HOO_HOO HAHAHA)
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July 19th, 2009 at 5:44 am
I think I’ll quit smoking…right after I finish this pack!
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July 19th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Nah Tenacious, I don’t care about smokers very much. If they’re weak and ignorant enough to keep smoking despite the obvious health, financial, and social impacts…well, that’s their choice. Yeah, nicotine is addictive, but there are plenty of ways to quit. Just gotta make the attempt, and keep trying. Help’s out there.
The smokers that come onto this forum trying to defend their habit…they’re fair game for ridicule.
Now kids…that’s another matter. They’re weak and ignorant by design. And they need to be protected from making dangerous decisions before they’re ready. Making cigarettes $10 a pack will keep a lot of them from becoming addicted until they’re old enough to make an informed decision. That’s supported by plenty of solid data.
I think any underage kid caught smoking should be forced to do community service for the American Cancer Society or American Lung Association. Let them see the results of smoking first hand. I bet they’ll get an earful about the intelligence of taking up smoking from some guy with emphysema strapped to an oxygen bottle.
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July 19th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Please don’t quit, billybob. The more taxes you pay, the less I have to.
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July 19th, 2009 at 6:17 am
ToddP,
Can’t you spot a sarcastic comment? How many times have we all heard a smoker say they will quit right after they finish the one they are smoking?
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July 19th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Uh….I was being sarcastic too…
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July 19th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Who cares. Change the voxbox so we can discuss the EPA’s letter regarding Kensington or reinstate the comments section following a story.
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July 19th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Every slug that bums change off me seems to have money for cigarettes
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July 19th, 2009 at 11:13 am
The article states that the purpose of the tax is to change the smoking habits of teenagers. Teenagers will always have money to buy Cigarettes. If they don’t have funds the lawful way, they will turn to crime. They will steal, not only from their parents, but from breaking and entering to get property that they can convert into money. Why are the members of the CBJ Assembly and the State Legislature converting our children into criminals?
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July 19th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
And every hitchhiker too, ED. Like I want some dude riding in my car stinking like that. And if they have money for smokes, they can buy bus fare.
gmpatton, what’s the point? That subject has been beaten to death. Regardless of how people feel about Coeur and Slate Lake and SEACC, everyone is ready to move on. How about a new topic that hasn’t been decided already?
Here are a few:
– What changes should Shawn Parnell make once he takes office?
– What do you think is happening with Don Young’s legal situation?
– Will the Juneau Empire survive? Why or why not?
– What should the City’s top three projects be? Or not be?
– What steps should the City take to ensure the capital stays in Juneau?
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July 19th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I like the smoking topic, just goes to show how many whining brats are out there.
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July 20th, 2009 at 12:15 am
With idiots like Art Chance, a self described corporate fascist who claims his job in Labor Retaliations was to make enemies , and a notoroius double dealers like Jim Duncan, along with a co-revolving door Kim Metcalfe doing what they do, as well as a Labor Commissioner who, I quote, says “Get Political or Starve,” I wish that could have been part of the agreement of working for the state rather than a first amendment violation of having to associate with the AFSCME idealogues.
Okay, Art, you have made your enemy. The Grand jury is looking at, and has convicted enough people to give me credibility. Your name will soon come up. Okay, Kim, I am tired of criminal ways [extortionate letters] in dealing with an ethics violation.
I am sorry about the condition of Alaska’s uninformed voters and the embarassment that it has caused your state and will continue to cause your state. I just thought that with a degree and and a bazzilion hours of studying zoology I could eak out a living counting fish. But I guess there are more important things than that in a corrupt state.
I like to see that the federal money is being cut to your criminals who run the state. The examination of the tribal contracts is a pretty good squeeze and will help to correct the problem of making a second class citizen if that money is cut off.
I guess that maybe a small wage for a mail order business is in order. I might think about of going to the local tribal shops and sending tobacco as a way I can make make a living and I think it is ethical if it cuts off money to your forsaken corrupt state legislators. Anyone who is interested in receiving cigarettes by mail I will talk to my expert on tribal law here in ‘Indian’ country about setting up a business. It will help deny your CBC revenue, so with or without considering the ills associated with tobacco, I will think about doing this. I know it’s not hte billions to be lost by the no- bid contracts or the suspension of other federal fund programs, but the idea is to squeeze the budget makers instead of the smokers.
I guess I should use finally the e-mail adress set up by a friend who lent me his computer to type up the first federal complaints. I never really wanted to use it until it became obvious that it was quite appropriate.
Contact alaskaisgoingdown@gmail and if there is enough interest in buying cheaper, fresher cigarettes by mail I will gladly consider that for a living instead my job which was closer to my post secondary education of counting fish and other tech work.
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July 20th, 2009 at 12:17 am
Sounds like smokers and their friends need to be voters.
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July 20th, 2009 at 6:29 am
What makes you think we’re not voters? There’s another one who follows the herd. Brilliant I tell ya
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July 20th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Just so everyone knows, I just graduated and the problem isn’t cigarettes, it’s marijuana, oxycotin and other pills, shrooms, crack, and heroine. Just so everyone know. I know very few teens and high school students that smoke cigarettes… if you can get more quality then a kid’s brain says buy it, this creates poor teens, students, boys and girls who then feel the need to rob homes and steal from cars. Cigarettes did start this enterprise and monopoly however and there are way to many slaves addicted to nicotine. yes, slaves. Raise the tax, tax it until it’s done and maybe that will sway a few of these poor addicted peoples minds and prompt them to get involved in a community that gives to them, instead of polluting and taking away from it. Thanks.
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July 20th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Love the slippery slope a lot of you are on. Please don’t sit next to me, your self rightous reek is disgusting. Lets talk your puke worthy purfumes, your clothes matted with your families best friends hair ala cat and dog, and your failed emission cars. All while being gloat worthy from income working under the table. You know, it’s hlarious talking about all the “faults” and “sins” of others when the same people have little concern about how much they effect the health and well being of those around them. Hypcritical really when it gets down to it. “We rob the other guy and pass the savings on to you”, right?
At least I’m following the laws set for me, can you all say the same? And all the smokers get it, it’s more about generating tax revenue than “protecting children” that can’t legally buy the product inthe first place. Have a great day
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July 20th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I’m not a smoker, but I know that raising the tax isn’t going to make people quit. Its an addiction, and people are going to come up with the extra buck to get a pack. But, this city is always finding more ridiculous ways to make this place even worse than it is. If the city wants to make some real money, while taxing the fuck out of peoples personal habits they might as well legalize marijuana and tax that.
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July 20th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Cigarettes are an addiction…..as real as any other. It will not stop anyone from smoking…..I wish my family would stop, because I am helping to pay for it whether I like it or not.,,,,
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July 20th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Bill_D-
Am I following a “Herd?” Or are you referring to someone else?
BTW, thanks for the un-moderation on that one , Mr. Westmoreland. I think it’s time to see who has recieved enhanced contributions from the AFSCME/ASEA as part of Jim Duncan’s no representation stipulation.
Maybe for a positive change half of the personnel board should be independent independents and the other half the straight party /straight jacket types!(?)
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July 20th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
AK Romper-
Protecting children is just another thing swept under the rug in Alaska, and it’s bound to pop up somewhere else. It’s actually already happened, and probablycontinues to this day without heed. While someone had the Labor Retaliations “laser dot” on a YS enmployee’s forehead for trying to make changes, kids were watching their foster sibs literally get beat to death by the foster parents that the state gave them to.
Thank god the state had the horesepower to fire the guy that blew the whistle so that kind of stuf could happen. Not just a crime but a sin for any relgous or non-religeous person.
But let’s make sure the legislature has bigger fish to fry , like tobacco smokers. What a sad state…..of affairs.
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July 21st, 2009 at 8:06 am
CBJ want to tax cigarettes bcause it is easy and you have an addicted population. Let’s legalize pot and tax that too.
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July 21st, 2009 at 8:58 am
I wish people could post on here without the sarcasm. I smoke, I don’t like the smell of it, I don’t like it in my face, I don’t mind going to bars that you can’t smoke in. But taxing is getting out of hand. Put a tax on fast food, obesity is after all a disease, right? I believe this country was founded because the people were getting away from over taxation. I f you think it will raise money AND reduce the number of smokers, then who will pay the new tax?
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July 21st, 2009 at 12:45 pm
That’s what I’m talking about pollypocket, if we choose to pay the tax on OUR cigarettes, so what? who cares? I can still afford the the tax though, I’ll just take it out of my kids college fund. (j/k) : )
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July 21st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Big_D
j/k
Huh?
Wow!
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July 21st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
The money goes for touchy feeling grants like Big Brother Big Sisters.
How about buying some of those table books and posters that show what cancer can do for you and post them in the halls of the high school. Or we can pussy foot around like we’ve always done.
There’s quite a few posters available. Some even have pretty pictures.
http://tobacco.health.usyd.edu.au/site/supersite/resources/docs/gallery_posters.htm
http://www.quittobacco.com/posters/poster.htm
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July 21st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Obey or pay!!!!We don’t like smoking so you shouldn’t do it-bend to our will-its for your own good!
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July 21st, 2009 at 4:38 pm
It took you this long to figure that out?
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July 21st, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I AM NOT FLIRTING WITH ANYONE ONE THIS FORUM tenacious I don’t even know pollypocket
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July 21st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Must. Restrain. Self. From Inappropriate. Comment!….
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July 21st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Poly pocket makes some good points about taxation and the cause of rebellion. A second consideration was black market , which is a sure thing if the tax gets too high. Just ask Canada.
There was a good piece on NPR about this just today. Fresh Air from WHYY, July 21, 2009 · Cigarette smuggling is a lucrative, low-risk business that is sometimes used to help fund terrorist organizations around the world, according to a new report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
The report, “Tobacco Underground,” charts the paths of smugglers working for the Taliban, Hezbollah, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the Real Irish Republican Army (Real IRA) and others.
David Kaplan, editorial director at The Center for Public Integrity and editor of the report, explains how the multibillion-dollar business fuels organized crime, robs governments of tax money and spurs addiction.
Kaplan has worked as chief investigative correspondent for U.S. News & World Report and was one of two senior editors at the San Francisco-based Center for Investigative Reporting.
The whole 24 minute program is still up on the web.
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July 21st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
A HREF=”http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-468es.html”>CATO has a good report on New Youk’s high cigarette taxes and black market , too.
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July 21st, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Cigarette Taxes, Black Markets, and Crime:
Lessons from New York’s 50-Year Losing Battle
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July 21st, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Polly Pocket is right about her point that the city is not right about its continual singling out a group for increasing its tax. That wouldn’t be a bad idea of increasing taxes on foods with lower nutritional value: sodas, chips, cookies, icecream, frozen (t.v.) dinners, fast food menu items, and candy except for that this may reduce sales in the business that profit from selling these products which may end up cutting jobs. However its a good point for looking into. There are other areas in the city for raising taxes besides singling out juneau citizens who choose to buy cigarettes. The Property tax could be raised, business tax could be raised, non profit agencies could start getting taxed however if these three found their tax risen juneau’s city assembly members and the mayor would be voted out of their seats. Again, I agree with polly pocket and others here that singling out a particular group just because they are a minority to pay extra tax is wrong and undemocratic. There are always better ways a city government can increase is annual city budget than relying on a minority group to close the gap in the budget.
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July 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 am
big brother is watching
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July 22nd, 2009 at 7:34 am
Flora, cigarettes are not a ‘group’, they’re a product.
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July 22nd, 2009 at 7:56 am
yeah, but also the people who smoke them are a group because of not everyone smokes cigarettes.
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July 22nd, 2009 at 7:58 am
ToddP…I wish I knew what your “innapropriate comment” would have been..LOL!
Anyhooo….smokers might want to ask themselves what sorts of real benefits they derive from buying costly cigarrettes. I spose if the benefits outweigh the cost then by all means keep paying the high price for them.
Fact of the matter is…smokers are addicted to the chemicals inside cigs and can’t help themselves. It’s killing them but they can’t and wont stop.
And of course..out in the smoking area they can socialize so I guess they would miss out on that as well.
Very sad.
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July 22nd, 2009 at 8:06 am
It was a matter of time once the No smoking in bars and resturants was established. They have tomake up that lost revenue some how. TOO much government in our lives. Lets have a tea party
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July 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 am
next NO smoking in our own homes, unless we pay a higher proerty tax to do so
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July 22nd, 2009 at 8:56 am
Yup Flora, smokers are a group. But smokers aren’t being taxed, only cigarettes are.
Highway fuel has special taxes. Is that a driver tax? No, it’s a fuel tax.
Airports have special taxes. Is that a traveler tax? No, it’s an airport tax.
If you’re going to complain about ‘undemocratic taxes’, where have you been for the last…50 years?
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July 22nd, 2009 at 11:28 am
ToddP, you have been rather entertaining regarding the smoking topic. You have gotten the blogging smokers all worked up and defensive surely making them jones for another smoke and another blog. Nice work!
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July 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
That’s my goal, Happy. The more smoking I can cause, the more smoker taxes the City takes in, and the less my property taxes rise (homeoners: another ‘group’ who gets taxed).
Besides, it’s fun. Because I’m asinine and…immature was it?
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July 22nd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
As a smoker I am perturbed that the taxes on cigarettes are going up, but at the same time I’ve been desperately want to quit. Paying more for cigarettes will encourage me even more so to lose this nasty habit. Please feel free to raise the taxes…let’s all make an effort to quit.
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July 22nd, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Historians remember the Boston Tea Party, Storming of the Basteal, The pleague and removing the rats from the coast of Ireland. In Juneau we tend to emeluate the means of others and utilize their “sucessful” techniques to attain goals. You always hear that a politician or activatist will quote a measure implimented elseware will work here. Are you sure we need that kind of leadership? I am affraid that we are at the point that we need to be protected from ourselves. I am going to die, no matter how badly you want to protect me and TAX ME. I am going to be unconfortable smoking “outside” and I am going to never see any return on my investment. Instead of the herrasment for being involved in what you call an “adiction”, how come no one has thanked me for paying more taxes than the average ‘bear’? I don’t ask for symphtoy, understanding and I feel in the past 50 years plus that I am entitled to an opinion that should not be ridiculed by the tobbacco settlement millions that each State has rat holed or spent that was realy a land mark opportunity to cure lung cancer, respitory disease and other forms of related disease. If the money had gone to science instead of the politicians and non-profits; I wouldn’t have to watch those stupid commercials about smoking. I might look forward to a cure of cancer, instead of waiting to die. Tax me, I have had enough. You will figure out this after I am gone. Aren’t those commercials “nice”?
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July 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 pm
yep, its the same thing.
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July 22nd, 2009 at 11:06 pm
and calm down todd p don’t get all worked up over this subject. “If you’re going to complain about ‘undemocratic taxes’, where have you been for the last…50 years?” breath todd p. breath todd p.
however, this hiking up the tax on a particular area just to get people to stop smoking is not right. people have to make that choice on their own regardless of if they can afford buying cigarettes or not.
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July 23rd, 2009 at 1:28 am
Art where are you? Are you being censored ? Taxing your Winstons must be a burr under your saddle. Why don’t you speak out or are you banned frome this site? They seem to be pretty graceful in moderation.
What happened to Art Chance on the ADN?
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July 23rd, 2009 at 4:24 am
Art is busy policing the Redstate.com website for conservative purity this morining….can’t have anyone calling self described fascists ‘fascist’ now can we?
Idiot troll alert! Moe, Neil, got a live one. nt
Achance Thursday, July 23rd at 6:40AM EDT (link)
In Vino Veritas
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July 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 am
Not worked up at all, Flora. And since I don’t smoke, I can actually speak a compete sentence… without pausing to…breathe….cough, cough. Now Dock Johnson…HE is worked up. And John has just been seeking too much veritas in his vino apparently
You’re still missing the points of the tax.
First, we want more money to pay for public stuff, and since cigarettes have no redeeming value for society, they are great candidates. Better than raising taxes on my house again. A few smokers like YAR above might quit, but most won’t. Tax other vices. I’m fine with that. And maybe eliminate the tax on food and other essentials.
Second, price WILL have an impact on preventing more kids from becoming addicted. A lot of solid evidence proves that, and even internal tobacco company documents confirm it. If keeping a few more kids off the vile habit means taxing cigarettes until they’re $10 a pack, I have no problem with that either.
But I forget. It’s all about you.
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July 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 am
I’ll quit inhaling when they start taxing my herb mon.
Here’s to the hemp powered kayak motor!
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July 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 am
And tax it they should! Legalize it, then tax it.
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July 23rd, 2009 at 6:36 pm
yes legalize pot then i can cut down on smoking ciggaretts. Ive been a tax paying citazen my whole adult life. I have been working sense i was 17 years old. I have never had parental help either not one dime sence i left home. I worked my way threw school on my own and had to raise my son on my own also without welfair. I started smoking as a teen to fit in just to be a part of somthing. When your poor, people who have everything seem look down on you. By no fault of my own this is the way it was. I am still a smoker it it a tough habit to quit if you have read up on it its harder to get over than a heroin or cocain addiction. I may be a smoker but at least i have feelings still and empathy for others. I am not better or worse than anyone else. 36 year smoker
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July 24th, 2009 at 4:38 am
There are so many other things to tax. First of all all the non-smokers wanted all the smokers out of the bars just so that they can indulge with out all the smoke, where are they. Once all the smokers were forced to smoke on the streets and folks complained about that ( the clean air act) now the city puts up these little containes on the light post to hold all the butts and how often do they clean that. I also understand that they asked the owners of the bars to empty those containers, I was surprised that they would even ask that in the first place. It was not the bars that wanted the smokers out on the streets. Now there is a fine if you are caught throwing your butts on the street. Once again something else against the smokers. Now you folks want the JPD to start spending monies to write up tickets on butt throwers. Maybe the city should have tickets for all you folks that have junk yards at home maybe we can get money from that. Lets tax all the folks that drink latte’s and red bull leaving their containers on a window ledge downtown. I am just sure that the JPD folks would love to waste tax dollars and time on what you all are suggesting. Lets get real. You all are not happy with the out come you created out side the bars. More smoke.
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July 24th, 2009 at 6:29 am
The city could make millions of dollars just on drunk drivers. I have seen people that were drinking in the bars get into their cars and drive away while the police sat in their cars watching and do nothing. The Police Blotter may have one or two DUIs listed a week. There’s a lot more than one or two drunk drivers out there every night. Make them pay bigger fines. They kill a lot of people. Paying big fines may make them think about getting into a car after drinking. Alcohol is expensive. Big fines…less money for drinks.
Put a two dollar tax on a six pack.
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July 24th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I think it’s funny that people are trying to put the blame on the litter created by smokers on the people that suggested the smoking ban in bars. Do you also blame McDonalds for all of their paper bags strewn around town by careless slobs? Get real. It’s littering. The cigarette butt thrown on the sidewalk is no different than the broken down washing machine somebody leaves out the road. What I don’t understand is why the fine for butt tossing is less than your standard litter fine. Fine anybody that leaves their trash anywhere other than a garbage can.
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July 24th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Taxing is not the problem to an addict; fix the problem with medical help or care, Tax the people that shun those who look the other way. Cigarette and Tobacco product are considered a DRUG by the FDA, and should be dealt with as so. Like any DRUG if an addict needs the high as it is, they will find it no matter what the cost.
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July 24th, 2009 at 11:36 am
There should be a special eco-tax on all those rusted out Subaru wagons running all over town. If they have a kayak rack on top they should get taxed for that and if they actually carry a kayak, they should have to get a hemp-powered kayak motor permit for that (that wouldn’t be considered a tax, just a permit fee), then if they carry a backpack, there should also be a backpack tax of say $1.00; I mean, what’s the big deal about another dollar a pack? Let’s not even start talking about all the packs of dogs some people have; endless pack tax possibilities.
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July 24th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Jamaicasom – Maybe you are just unhappy with life as is?
Wow – tax back packs…. I feel sorry for the people that have to put up with you on a daily basis.
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July 24th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I’m so glad I don’t smoke cigarettes. Its always been a waste of money, time, and not to mention you don’t always die, but maybe just maybe you’ll end up with a nasty hole in yer neck. Ew!!
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July 24th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Things cost more in Alaska so the cigarette tax here should be more than any other location in the US.
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July 25th, 2009 at 8:59 am
It’s a drug, that kills, tax it till it’s unaffordable.
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July 27th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I used to smoke, before I got pregnant.
Now, I smell people who smoke cigarettes and think “Dang, is that what I used to smell like after a cig?!”
Honestly, it’s a personal preference as to being a smoker or a non smoker. Personally, I’m choosing to be a non smoker for the health of my baby and for my personal health.
Now that I know cigarette tax might go up AGAIN, I know I’m DEFINITELY not going to pay up to $8 or $9 for a pack of smokes.
As far as the youth go, it’s the same as adults. They’ll pay the money to successfully feed their habit… it’s just like an alcoholic.
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July 27th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Too much taxing by the City/Borough Government trying to support their inflated Programs. Juneau residents………Tax Cap Initiative or Tax Control Initiative Time ………..put a rein on the Assembly people who are taxing, taxing, taxing, and getting out of control. In October, get rid of those who would tax you to death…….elect people who will not overly tax every aspect of your lives…..besides……….Sin Taxes have taken their share of the tax hits the last few years, Federal Government hits it, State Government hits it, and the City & Borough hits it hard…..enough is enough. Tax Cap Initiative and Tax Control Initiative to put a lid on elected Assembly people taxing unreasonably. You can get the right people in elected office, don’t just keep returning these same yoyo’s, put new people in and put a leash on them with Tax Controls so they don’t inflate city/borough government to unsustainable levels without putting more taxes on the people. You got two months to find the right people to elect, dump the people who would tax you to high heaven.
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August 2nd, 2009 at 8:58 pm
The taxes are already high enough on this product. On some brands the taxes are well over half of the purchase price, and are pretty close to half on the pricier brands. The fact that smoker’s aren’t embraced by everyone is common knowledge, but that doesn’t justify charging so much tax that it eclipses the original price of the product.
The alledged reason for raising the taxes this time is to cut down on teen smoking. As a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen I do not see the logic of punishing the people that are legally smoking and enjoying their right to smoke. If its the kids you’re after, go get them. I think the kids, or their parents, should be ticketed if caught with tobacco of any sort. Take the money from the tickets and use that to pay for your “Kids Shouldn’t Smoke” fun time programs. I fail to see why it is my responsibility to pay for programs like this. Make the law breaking kids, and the people that are legally responsible for their actions pay for them.
We have a smoking age laws for a reason, and they should be enforced.
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August 7th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I’m OK if you pay more taxes.
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August 19th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I don’t smoke, therefore I don’t care.
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August 26th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
???????????, ????????, ? ??? ? ??? ?????????!
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September 10th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Hey here’s a bright idea! Overtax alcohol too! People make too many stupid decisions like drink till your homeless. A lot of times people never listen when there’s a sign saying Drink Responsibly. But thats just what I think.
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February 11th, 2010 at 10:57 am
hey all you smokers. Stop letting these guys push you around. Don’t believe them, they don’t want you to quit purchasing tobacco. Eventual health care cost is a valid, yet terribly convenient EXCUSE. Bottom line: They want your money in their pockets. If they were as deeply concerned about you as they would like for us to believe, they would have attacked the tobacco companies even in the face of losing big contributions. they could make it illegal to allow minors inside stores where tobacco is sold. They could impose stiffer penalties to those who sell to minors. There are numerous things that could be done, instead, bullying the minorities is the path of least resistance. I would love for all smokers to give these aholes what they’re asking for. Just quit! Just never buy another tobacco product again as long as you live. Not only would you be dashing their hopes of a new lexus this year, but yould be pulling the rug from beneath their existing finances. So Boo-hoo tobacco comanies have to close shop and make do with the billions theyve already made off the addictive products they sell.
Hard to believe you have that power, but you do! USE IT!
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July 2nd, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Food Stamps are nice and handy if you want some fast meals.`.;
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July 19th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Food Stamps are great and i wish that there were more of them.**~
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