Posted by Thomas1776 on May 22, 2008 at 3:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Raise the tax on beer and booze. More people drink than smoke.

Posted by ForPnC on May 22, 2008 at 4:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll just keep getting my cigs at the commissary.

Posted by retirednavy on May 22, 2008 at 5:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Studies have shown that red wine and dark beer are good for your heart(in moderation of course). I don't know of any studies that say smoking cigarettes is good for your health.

Posted by ODIrony on May 22, 2008 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yup, there's nothing like a fair tax, one that hits everyone the same way. And this is nothing like a fair tax.

If they really want people to stop smoking, criminalize the sale and possession of tobacco. After all, it's worked with marijuana.

And let's make more places smoke-free (government controlled capitalism ... you know, like Red China).

And while we're at it, how about checking up on what's going on in the bedroom? I bet there are people lighting up after illicit sex all the time.

Maybe the money the government makes from the tax can be distributed to local constabularies so they can initiate more surveilances on home card parties where illegal hearts, bridge, and snap games are ruining our moral future.

Posted by ColdBeer on May 22, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Time to tax cell phones, hair dye and fat. Everyone knows those pose serious health risks too. In California, they are trying to pass a bill that taxes pornography.

Looks like it's time for me to start getting my cigs at the commissary again too. The state just lost what tax money it was getting from me.

Posted by DanniD on May 22, 2008 at 6:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

the need to spend this much effort in finding a way to lower the gas prices.

Posted by theronce on May 22, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! Can't wait to vote for these guys again.

Posted by Paul on May 22, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tax these tail pipe suckers 100% ... then have them pick up all these ashtray dumps we see at every intersection ...

Posted by feb251939 on May 22, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Slowly but inevitably South Carolina is turning into a 'blue' state. Although we were duped into thinking we were sending a Conservative to the Senate in the form of Lindsay Graham, we now have a liberal republican representing us in Washington.

We now see our local state republicans adopting democrat ideals and principles by raising taxes as the first option to fill the coffers of the state.

We will now wait and see if our Governor has joined their ranks by signing this latest tax increase.

Will he color us red or will he color us blue?

Posted by auger on May 22, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep! Back to the commissary for me too! And just so I'm not making the trip for cigarettes alone, I might as well get my groceries there tax free as well. Also while I'm on base anyway, I'll be buying my clothing and everything else I use from the exchange, again tax free! I average about $10 per week in sales tax at the grocery now, so that will immediately save me $40 per month. Kind of a bummer that I won't be supporting the local merchants anymore though. Oh well.....

Posted by wpc3iop on May 22, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know that smoking is bad for you but do we really need higher taxes?

DanniD: Great post...they should be doing something to help us all!

Posted by Early on May 22, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Massachusetts tried this crap and now they are in a 4 billion dollar deficit. They kept adding more to the definition of lower income and now they can't afford the program based on raising the tax on smokes. We WILL be in the same boat in less that two years and then what. All those you don't even smoke will bear the burden as property tax increases. This is not the fix, I guess I'm not smarter than a fifth grader because it's common since to me.

Posted by Tammie on May 22, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I used to smoke the illegal stuff when I was in school, til my grandmother told me smoking stunts your growth..she's like 5'1 so that scared the hell out of me from smoking. I'm with Danni also, aren't the gas CEO's gonna be in front of a house panel today to talk about how much money THEY'RE raking in while our pockets are getting screwed?

Posted by ColdBeer on May 22, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The oil companies are making huge profits, but they are, by far, not the highest profit margin (% wise) in business. They make billions simply based on volume of sales. You're being screwed by Yahoo and Google at a much higher profit % than the oil companies.

If we're going to start capping the profits that a company makes, you have to start with the highest profit margin owners first.

Posted by charlestonnative1963 on May 22, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Move. Anyone who still smokes is out of their mind anyway so they need to pay extra. I hope Gov. S does NOT veto this, its a good move for SC...we rank very high in lung cancer and this just might make people think twice. Every medical journal states that smoking WILL cause major health problems...and the same publications will say one drink for a woman and two drinks for a man have major health benefits. Wine, beer, etc cuts high cholesterol-smoking raises cholesterol...Good Law!

Posted by charlestonnative1963 on May 22, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Feb 25...THANK GOD maybe we want be first in all the bad things and last in all the good things anymore

Posted by Chilldiesel83 on May 22, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The tax on cigarettes is not the problem. The problem is just finding another way to deepen and expand the safety net that society has provided for those who are too lazy to go to work so that they could afford to live and could afford healthcare on their own. It is pitiful. Tax the rich to give to the poor. Robin Hood is only a fictional character, or so I thought. As far as gas prices. This is an easy fix. The government should mandate that a gallon of gas in the United States costs 2 bucks a gallon, and not any more than that. Whatever the real price of gas is above that, should be picked up by the government. How do they pay for this extra amount, stop spending billions of dollars in Washington for programs like Welfare, Lobbyists, and Special Interests. The money is there, just badly mis-used. I dont see how it can become the norm for people that have jobs, who have to drive to work, should have to suffer. Help out those that do something with their lives, and penalize those who want to sit home and live off of their free govenment issued check each month. Something just doesn't seem right. This does not pertain to those who do not have the ability to go and be a part of the workforce, such as the sick and elderly. I will gladly pay tax dollars to help them out. For everyone else, quit playing the lottery, and go get a job!

Posted by TP on May 22, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tax 'em if you smoke 'em. I smoke and have no problem with this tax whatsoever. I also like smoke free bars, although I'm not sure if that should be done by choice or mandated? I don't really think there are any good arguments against increasing cig taxes.

Hey diesel- I think we're spending a couple of bucks a day on the war in Iraq, too (you seemed to have overlooked that).

Chrispia- you've been johnny on the spot lately so don't let me down. I need you to run some numbers, STAT. How much do we spend on welfare and similar social programs, and how much have we been spending (per day) trying to re-stabilize Iraq?

Posted by LowcountryMoose on May 22, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We should just cut to the chase and euthanize all poor people. It would solve everything.

Posted by UrGatorbait on May 22, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good. Raise the taxes on smokes. Nasty habit. Maybe it can be used to offset the higher health premiums and put some money into the coffers. While we're at it, let's tax fast food also.

Th gubmint couldn't stop illegal booze, the war on drugs is a farce at best burning your tax dollars. They could create another department and increase the bureaucracy further burning up more of your tax dollars. If you love giving your money away, then slip it this way. Some here see the gubmint as the cure all for all the woes in this country.

The commissary charges a surcharge that is getting as much as paying taxes out here. It isn't the bargain it once was. I think they should cut cig sales anyways. They want the force to be healthy but they sell cigs.

Posted by eyfigueroa on May 22, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gatorbait: the commissary also sells sodas, cookies, full fat milk, butter, pork chops and bacon.

At what point do citizens make their OWN informed choices? Thereby suffering the consequences of those choices without the government stepping in to help.

Raise taxes on cigs. I could care less. But what the govt. is going to do with the $ I have a problem with.

BTW the commissary, even with the surcharge, is a far better deal than WalMart, Publix or the The Pig especially when it comes to meat, canned goods and dairy.

Posted by Chilldiesel83 on May 22, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i will comment on Iraq to appease those who read. Its not a question of how much money we spend in Iraq. It is a question of success. We spent more money on WWII, trying to defeat the axis powers that wanted to take over the world, much like Saddam Hussein did. The difference is that WWI and WWII was a victory, so no one cares about how much was spent there. The other difference is that after those wars, we left the area after it was destroyed and let Eastern and Western Europe build it back. Here we are trying to build it back ourselves. I agree that we are spending too much money there, but that is because we are going at it alone and the rest of the world is not helping as it should. If we do not help stabilize Iraq and build it back, then it will crumble, and everything that has happened would have been for nothing. In October 2001, it is odd that President Bush had the highest approval rating of any President since the 1930s, when the system was put in place. Now he has the lowest. When we were attacked, America bonded together, and wanted revenge against any and all terrorists, it didnt matter who it was. It is the simple concept of immediate gratification. I agree that Afghanistan is a mucher bigger threat to our national security than Iraq, and funds are mis-appropriated. However, the building of Iraq is a key part of bringing stability to the entire region. I would rather the government spend as much money as needs be to ensure that no radical terrorist leader ever again rises to power in Iraq. The protection of the lives of the innocent, here in America, are worth every penny.

Posted by ColdBeer on May 22, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The commissary rocks! We use it often. I'll most likely be using it more often now.

Posted by Chilldiesel83 on May 22, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For the record, I have nothing against those that are poor. Only those that refuse to help themselves. Anybody remember the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness?" Chris Gardner had no formal education, he owned only the clothes on his back. He slept in public restrooms with his son. Now he is a multi-millionaire. I am not nieve to think that everyone can become millionaires out there, but what I do believe, is that if you want something bad enough, then it can be obtained. I am a stout Republican, but if there is one thing that I can agree with Barack Obama on, is that no one thought he would ever have a chance to become the President of the United States. His family was not the wealthiest growing up, and look at where he is today. Anything is possible.

Posted by outrage on May 22, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ODIrony - The Fair Tax is the way to go! Tell ZOD!

*Since when is it the Government's job to offer everything to everyone? This isn't France, Is this France?
*Income redistribution by Taxation.
*I have worked in what would be considered low income neighborhoods, and the % of the people in those areas that smoke is high. So, in essence we will still be buying their cigs and buying their health care, etc. etc. Give give give give give

Posted by Chilldiesel83 on May 22, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe we could tax those who employ illegal aliens... They are already making a bundle because I can assure you that they are not paying those workers as much as they should. They shouldnt be paying them at all, because the workers should not even be here, but if they are, a higher amount of taxes could serve as some kind of penalty. It is kind of a catch 22, bc I like to eat foods that come from crops, and I love to play golf. Having worked in both areas growing up, I know where the illegals are being employed. Atleast the trees are being saved because i guarantee you they are not getting printed out checks, but handed dollar bills, which is not printed on paper, but is made of a special cloth.

Posted by TP on May 22, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tax the smokes and have a plan for what to do with the money. Build parks and improve environmental quality with the money.

Iraq is relevant in the tax discussion b/c it's the big pink elephant in the room when the fiscal conservatives want to talk about excessive spending and government waste. It's like if they ignore it, it's not there. Or they say we have to take the war to them, etc. It could be argued that there are many more terrorists today that hate the US than there were b/f we destabilized Iraq. I thought the point was to eliminate the terrorist threat? Seems a little counter intuitive.

This is one of the worst run wars in history, and the Generals that have been in Iraq will be the first to tell you that. Poor planning, lack of an exit strategy, and lack of understanding of the magnitude of the tribal warfare that would ensue.

When I picture George Bush on that aircraft carrier with the 'Victory' sign, it makes me want to puke.

If you want to live in denial and continue drinking the Kool-Aid, knock yourself out.

Posted by CountryGirl on May 22, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"smoking is bad for your health", "smoking is a bad habit anyway"....since when does that matter? I thought we lived in a FREE country...to do what we want unless it is harmful to someone else. Cigs are legal...until they become illegal....which won't happen because too much money is at stake from the industry.

I don't smoke, but I have friends who do and I hate to go to a bar or restaurant where they can't smoke. It makes me feel uneasy because I know they are uneasy.

You people who want to turn all of us into "cookie cutter" people must have a sad life. "you shouldn't smoke or drink or ride motorcycles because it's BAD for your HEALTH". Yes Mom.

Let's put a tax on people who mountain climb, snow ski, skateboard, etc.. too.

Get a life you people...there's a lot more out there to experience that's NOT in your little manacured back yard!!

Hey..tax the cigs and then put the money into upgrading the ventalation systems in restaurants and bars, etc..so people can smoke there.

...and don't even get picky about my spelling..I know it's bad sometimes.

Posted by Chilldiesel83 on May 22, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree 100% that the war is not being run the way it should be and that funds are not being used wisely, but 90% of those who oppose the war, oppose it for the wrong reason. The war should have taken place, and it should have been over a long time ago. Cutting our losses now and pulling out is not the way to do it. Seeing people jump out of a window from 80 floors up because they do not want to be burned alive is something that I do not wish to see on CNN when I come home from work. We are putting too much money into the Iraq war, but we are not putting too much money into the notion of war in the region itself. We should cut our spending in Iraq, come up with a plausible solution to slowly pull out, not completely, but a good percentage, and send that money to help those on the ground in Afghanistan, where the bigger terrorist threat is located. The only argument here is that money is being spent in the wrong place in the region, it should be shipped next door to help hunt down Bin Laden and other terrorist cells. Those who oppose the Iraq war want us to leave that country, bring all the soldiers home, save billions of dollars. Like I said, I do not think that decreasing the resources we have in the region is a smart idea. Only decrease those in Iraq, and allocate them to help protect Israel, and destroy the terrorist threat the exists in Afghanistan, Lybia, Palestine, etc. Fund the war on terrorism, and not so much the war in Iraq. There is a clear difference, however, most do not see it.

Posted by TP on May 22, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

With a little more work diesel, we could have you thinking in a rational, reasonable way about things! just kidding dude. I'm out.

Posted by Cid95 on May 22, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I tried to write a response about the flawed WWII analogy above, but got this:

"Watch your mouth! The words xxxx are not allowed here."

xxx was the letters j and p, separated by a dash

Some auto-censor, but of what word I know not! WTF?

Posted by CountryGirl on May 22, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When did this become a post on war? I must be slow because I missed that...

Posted by Chilldiesel83 on May 22, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, for the record, the leading cause of death in the US alone is Heart Attack. Does that mean that we need to start taxing cheese and crisco and fried chicken? Raising a tax on something just because it is unhealthy is a dumb reason... That argument could only work on cigarettes, and not the other products in America that kill more Americans per year. I have no problem raising taxes on cigarettes, I can pay them, but saying something like do it because of the health issue, well that is just idiotic.

Posted by KidYendor on May 22, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am ashamed of my liberal representative David Mack. When the new cigarette tax unwed Medicaid recipient mothers start having their babies and cigarette revenue is short, who do you think the David Macks of South Carolina are going to come after for more money? You!

Posted by Early on May 22, 2008 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kid, exactly, it will be all of us non-smokers. This is to fund socialized healthcare in SC. All of you know on this board that the money will run out upon conception and you and I will be stuck with the bill. Tax the crap out of smokes I don't care but take the money and provide for ALL.
Tired of paying for lazy azz people.

Posted by Charles_Town on May 22, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The biggest problem with this is as these (or whatever) projects the government intends to fund with this tax, if more people do stop smoking (though I doubt it) those programs will then face a budget shortfall. Granted it will take a while for this to happen. I know not all smokers litter, but I still think it should be called a litter tax and go toward cleaning up all the cigarette related trash you see along the streets. I still think making someone pick up x number of butts in a defined section of a road is a great community service idea.

Posted by ColdBeer on May 22, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The #1 cause of deaths and the #1 cause of accidents in the US and worldwide is STUPIDITY. We should be taxing stupid people :)

Posted by Early on May 22, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Fat tax, every pound your over you pay 52 cents per day. Now THAT would have some health benefits. We were what #4 in the nation for fat people. Lots of revenue folks!

Posted by mypointofview on May 22, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI, neither Google nor Yahoo makes a cent off you unless you're an advertiser or subscribe to a special service. Actually the industry with the highest profit margin is pharmaceuticals, followed by...guess what? State Lotteries. Yes, state-supported lotteries turn their profits over to the state (or other beneficiary) but their profit margin - before the handoff - is second only to large pharm companies.

Posted by ODIrony on May 22, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's humorous to review the comments here.

"Tax cigarettes, it's the war, stupid!"

"Tax cigarettes, spend the money wisely (on projects "I" endorse)."

"Tax cigarettes to punish people who litter butts because they aren't allowed to smoke indoors"

"Tax cigarettes, I can afford it (and screw those who can't)!"

"Tax cigarettes, Bush is evil"

"Tax cigarettes, liberals are evil"

"Tax you, don't tax me, and go tax that Mexican behind the tree."

etc., etc., etc.

There has never been any conclusive hard evidence that taxing something causes users (particularly if they're 'addicted' to it) to stop. All the anti-smoking campaign has done in forty years is raise the level of prejudice, bigotry and intolerance in American society. Watch the reaction of people when they see a smoker. Some start coughing when they're upwind, others cough even if the cigarette isn't lit.

Tobacco may not be good for you, but do you really think that
fatty cholesterol-laden, preservative-packed foods;
auto exhaust; papermill polution; chemically 'enhanced' alcoholic products, coffees and sodas; household furnitures, appliances, computers, TVs, phones (name your prefixing letter), carpets, etc. each made with 'clinically acceptable levels of contaminants'; over the counter medicines and 'health' products of dubious quality and effectiveness .... do you really think individually and collectively, these have no ill effects?

Shouldn't we stop the insanity?

Let's focus on
Liberty.
Fair Taxation.
Individual Accountability.
Free Enterprise.

Posted by BillMan on May 22, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't like this idea at all, either make it illegal or quit taxing it to death! Many foods we eat are bad for our body, but they are not treated the same way as tobacco?

Posted by ColdBeer on May 22, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI, these same guys are also looking at passing a bill that would establish a tax free "2nd Amendment Weekend" allowing you to buy guns and ammo that weekend with NO tax.

Do we really want our taxes based on the personal likes and dislikes of the politicians in office? That sure sounds like the direction we are headed in. Will something YOU like be the next item to be taxed?

Posted by ForPnC on May 22, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's tax those people that drink diet pop and eat candy bars!

Posted by Tammie on May 22, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ForPnC, what about those that order a #3 combo at McDonald's supersized with either a water or a diet coke? Lol

Posted by ForPnC on May 22, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL Tammie!
Maybe they think one is canceling out the other? LOL!

Posted by TheCat_inTheHat on May 22, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whats up with this candy and burger tax??? Those aren't drugs. Nicotine is a drug. Sure, as stated in a post earlier, many foods we eat are bad for our health, but so is some of the air we breathe.

Posted by CHRISJIII on May 22, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Where does this idea of raising the sales tax on cigarettes leading to less people smoking come from? Just another half thought out piece of dumb legislation coming out of the backwards & backwoods S.C. Legislature!!!! I'm sure that a lot more people drink alcohol than smoke cigarettes, why not raise the tax on that. Maybe that would be shooting too many of the legislators in the foot!!!

Posted by buff_o_rilla on May 22, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

About the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution, in
1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of
Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some
2,000 years prior:

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.

From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years.During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the
following sequence:

1. From bondage to spiritual faith;

2. From spiritual faith to great courage;

3. From courage to liberty;

4. From liberty to abundance;

5. From abundance to complacency;

6.From complacency to apathy;

7. From apathy to dependence;

8. From dependence back into bondage"

Farewell to the late and great United States of America!!! Those that support added unfair taxes on others will soon become ones that are unfairly taxed themselves!!!

Posted by Tulane75 on May 22, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by outrage on May 22, 2008 at 10:31 a.m.
"The Fair Tax is the way to go! Tell ZOD!"

What is ZOD?

Posted by luvmydogs59 on May 22, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Raising the tax isn't going to make people who want to smoke stop. The prices of cigarettes up north are outrageous (approx. $50+ per carton in N.J. (where I grew up) which has the highest cigarette tax in the nation at almost $3 per pack), but people are still smoking at about the same rate they've always been. The price here, even after the tax, will still be cheap compared to most of the other states. Like others have said, there are more things contributing to bad health besides smoking...obesity, etc.

If they are going to raise the tax on cigarettes, let them rais it on alcohol...there are more problems with the effects of alcoholism then there are with smoking. Smoking doesn't cause domestic violence (I've never heard of anyone getting the crap beat out of them because someone was "under the influence of nicotine"), poverty, etc. that are associated with the abuse of alcohol. Alcohol is just a legal drug for the most part. It can affect peoples' lives in the same negative manner that illegal drugs can.

This issue is a hot potato...everyone is going to have different opinions on what they deem the good or bad. The government has been crossing the line with so many issues, that one day we aren't going to have any rights.

I'm a smoker who is working on quitting, but it has nothing to do with the proposed tax. It is something that I'd like to do for myself. And if I change my mind and decide I don't want to quit, that's my decision, and mine alone. It's my right to decide. Too bad our rights aren't going to be around too much longer.

Posted by mcdian on May 22, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Quit passing laws on legal substances and allow inforcement of the ones that people are breaking. While we are arguing about the health issues of cigarettes another illegal alien has killed a citizen, stole more of our money, and are allowing crooked buissenessmen to stay in buisiness.

If you pass it they will go. see the article in the washington post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...