Cigarette smoking is an addiction. Price is no object. Just don't call this a moron tax, you'll hurt a smokers feelings when they pay it.
COLUMBIA --- Ginger Bryan isn't worried her customers will flee to Georgia if the cigarette tax jumps from 7 cents to 57 cents.
"With gas the way it is?" asked the owner of Bryan Center convenience store, 10 miles from Savannah, Ga., which has a 37-cent state cigarette tax. "You might lose a few, but I've got people now who won't even go 10 miles for the grocery store."
Besides, she said, "People that smoke are still going to pay it."
That might be true, and for many along the Georgia/South Carolina border, it's a question of where smokers will purchase their cigarettes.
"They don't care how much it costs," said Lori Cooper, the manager of Greg's Gas Plus in Aiken.
Last week, lawmakers sent a bill to the governor's desk that would raise South Carolina's 7-cent tax, the lowest in the nation, to 57 cents.
Gov. Mark Sanford has threatened to veto the bill because about half of its nearly $160 million in revenues would pay for an expansion of Medicaid. Critics have argued that the revenues would decrease as fewer people smoked, forcing taxpayers to pay more to sustain a greater Medicaid population.
The Senate has enough votes to override a veto, but that's less likely in the House.
Reps. Lonnie Hosey, D-Barnwell, and Curtis Brantley, D-Ridgeland, also say gas prices will be the dominant factor in whether smokers cross the border.
Going the extra miles to take advantage of Georgia's 37-cent cigarette tax "would be like trading the devil for the witch," Mr. Brantley said.
But another local businessman, Mini Mart owner "D.P." Panday, said he's worried.
"Of course I'll lose customers," he said, noting that he has regulars from Georgia who will have no reason to come to his store in Hardeeville, S.C.
Mr. Panday isn't alone in his fears.
"It's going to really hurt," predicted Rep. Skipper Perry, R- Aiken. "There is so much back and forth. There is a tremendous amount of people from South Carolina who will go to Georgia."
Reach Sarita Chourey at (803) 727-4257 or sarita.chourey@morris.com.
BY THE NUMBERS
At 7 cents per pack, South Carolina has the lowest cigarette tax in the nation. The national average is $1.14.
Here is how nearby states rank:
STATE..........RANK..........TAX
Alabama..........42nd..........42 cents
Georgia..........43rd..........37 cents
North Carolina..........45th..........35 cents
Florida..........46th..........33 cents
Mississippi..........49th..........18 cents
Source: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Comments
Cigarette smoking is an addiction. Price is no object. Just don't call this a moron tax, you'll hurt a smokers feelings when they pay it.
"Critics have argued that the revenues would decrease as fewer people smoked, forcing taxpayers to pay more to sustain a greater Medicaid population"............"critics" need to be reminded that the fewer poeple they refer to are teenagers who have not yet started this filthy habit. And this will address the problem of impeng Medicare bankruptcy. As for the remainder of those who are addicted and will pay whatever it takes(15.00-20.00/pack?).......they will replenishish the health care system for prior damages!
RE: "It's going to really hurt," predicted Rep. Skipper Perry, R- Aiken. "There is so much back and forth. There is a tremendous amount of people from South Carolina who will go to Georgia." ----- The ole Skipper is such a dolt. Thankfully, he will be gone soon. That's the good news. The bad news is that it is doubtful that any of the candidates who will replace him will be much better. However, it's guaranteed that whomever it is will be a least marginally better, since the ole Skipper is sooooo awful. The fact that the ole Skipper has been around so long tells you a lot about the intelligence (lack thereof) of Aiken County voters. Also, note that the states that have the lowest cigarette taxes, are also last in other measures of quality-of-life. For example, they are all on the bottom of education statistics.
Also, note that the states that have the lowest cigarette taxes, are also last in other measures of quality-of-life. For example, they are all on the bottom of education statistics............very good point! And don't forget that these are the same states that have the highest incidence of coronary disease and stroke in the Country.
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