South Carolina needs higher cigarette tax

Ms. Deen, no matter your cause, assessing onerous taxes on tobacco products is no more than legislated robbery. If smokers wish to jeopardize their health it isn't for the state to decide they do not have the right to do so. Taxing tobacco is just an underhanded way to deny them their right to choose by making the product of choice unobtainable to many that struggle now to make ends meet and still enjoy the last thing the may have to alleviate the pain of poverty. Further, in many states, the money derived from taxes on tobacco, and payments received from court decisions against the tobacco industry have not been used in a manner that might indeed help those that now suffer from their choices. How can you be certain it would be used appropriately in South Carolina? I should add that my wife agrees with my position on this issue, and we are both former smokers; and further, we are both lung cancer survivors (16 years) as well. GGpap

It is customary of the left to attempt to tax behaviors that they deem unacceptable.......then when the behavior starts to go away, they lose the tax revenue and scramble to tax something else to replace it........a bunch of thieves.

Taxing cigarettes won't reduce smoking or save lives. It will, however, raise tax revenue. Tobacco addiction is legal in this country and it's the states right to take advantage of the situation. Raise the taxes, people won't quit smoking and they'll even influence others to start. The money will roll in.

Why doesnt anyone want to talk about the obesity problem? Obesity can lead to other issues as well, such as High blood pressure, diabtes, high cholesteral. Look around. America is getting FAT! The one thing that I have always found puzzling is everytime I get in line at the grocery store behind a foodstamp/ebt recipient, they are obese. I was once flat broke, hit rock bottom. I know what it is like to go to bed hungry. I never received assistance, and I was never obese. What gives??

shaglorious, tobacco addicts always seem to like to change the subject when the "cig tax" is mentioned. I'm guessing you smoke or chew.

Pt, I enjoy an occasional smoke after a good meal or with a cocktail. My intent was not to change the subject but to bring up another subject that is costly to the healthcare system. Would it be safe for me to assume you are a "food addict"? I care about the "cig tax" because w/ our govt, things start very subtly and slowly. First it was the smoking ban in restaurants. There was a little fuss but most people didnt care because no one like to smell a nasty cig while they are eating. But the point was the govt just told a private business owner how to run his business while for the most part, no one was paying attention. Now, they are forcing restaurants to use the trans fat oil, which is more expensive, supossedly better for you because hey, govt knows how to run your business best and how to live your life for ya. You see where I am coming from?

Yes, shag, I see. Many subjects other that the cig tax. It's okay with me, I was just making an observation. Yes, I'm addicted to food, and water, and air. I have no problem admitting it. I've tried kicking the habit of all three at one time or another, but I find I'm a hopeless addict. I have some of each almost every day. As the government taxes two of the three already, I'm sure I'll continue to consume each, regardless of the tax.

Pt, based on all of your other posts, it is safe for me to assume you are for less govt. However, in the case of a cig tax(or additional tax we should say), you seem to be all for it. Which is your business. It does appear hypocritical of your other posts. You seem to be okay with this govt intrusion because of your personal feelings towards smoking or smokers. My point is, where will it stop? Why not add additional taxes to all caffiene products? Why not an additional tax to all products high in sugar? All of these things are bad for you. What would be the difference? The difference is, this is personal for you.

FAT (For America Thinner tax)...sin taxes have never worked...but let's tax those fried chicken eaters!

I am not a smoker and I am not overweight! Instead of a tobacco tax, how about a fat taxes. If you are looking to raise tax dollars, just look around! Overweight individuals are more prone to suffer from diabetes, heart failure, kindey issues, etc. etc. and there are far more individuals that are "fat" than there are smokers. This woman is trying to change smokers behavior with their pocket books. Question, what happened to all the billions of dollars the tobacco companies paid out to each state?

shags, trans fats are extremely bad for health.

why not just raise the health insurance rates of unhealthy people? i take excellent care of my body, yet my health insurance rates continue to rise astronomically even though i haven't been to the pill-pusher, i mean doctor, in many, many years. in return, i get to pay for disease management of others. thanks a lot. so whine all you want about an unfair tax while you continue taking money out of my pocket.

As an ex-smoker I can relate to the gov't involvement in the situation. Studies indicate that more are disabled and die from obesity related illness than smoking. Obesity disables a lot of younger people with diabetes and heart problems. Smoking usually takes a few years to catch up with you. I think fat is worse than smoking. Look around you, you'll see more fat than smoke

The obese people are being taxed by insurance companies. Ironically, an industry I loath, may be the ones to actually scare people into getting into better shape and to cut out smoking. As premiums go up for smokers/obese people it will be like paying higher taxes. I do not like smoking, but if the government was able to put a huge tax on tobacco products, then fatty food products, they might go after other things next, like chocolate...noOOOOOOOoo.

shag, I'm for consumption taxes. I'm also for stopping the war on drugs. I think addictive products are a great way of raising taxes. Those that wish to continue paying the tax can and those that feel the tax is too much, can quit paying it. It's kind of like the lottery. I think the tobacco tax is a matter of choice.

fairtax! but let me grow my own!

treerock, my uncle grew his own tobacco his entire life, for personal use. He wasn't a farmer, per se. He smoked a pipe and his smoke was never offensive or choking. The smoking finally killed him...@ 89.

PT, I too would like to see a consumption tax to REPLACE all of our other taxes. As far as adding an additional tax to addictive products, who is the judge? Should we add an additional tax for all things addictive? I am not advocating smoking. Everyone knows(or they should) that it has great health risks and it stinks! But some find pleasure in it just as some find pleasure in chocolate cake. Neither one is illegal and both can be detrimental to your health if done frequently and for long periods of time. So let them eat cake and smoke um if you got um.

I with you shag, though I'd be upset if some indiscreet, addicted cake eater were to nonchalantly cover me with cake. In that case, I'd be the judge.

Lets raise the taxes/insurance on fat people, smokers, those that drive more that 12K miles a year, anyone that has ever had a sunburn or their total cholestrol is greater then 200mg/dl. If anyone ever suffers a stroke or heart attack just have the state comandeer their assets! That'll teach em!!!!

Pu239, did you get a look at Obama's version of universal health care? your 9:17 sounds just like it.

Gotta build the perfect beast PT. Any one or thing that doesn't fit the mold (or indoctrintation) will be ostracized!