Survey says yes

Rather astonishing comparison between California and Alabama.

NANNY STATE!!!!

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I've always felt that tobacco taxes were a weird 'control' method... the government (and the majority of the governed) want people to not smoke, but they are also addicted to...

the money.

Quote
cbelt3
the government (and the majority of the governed) want people to not smoke, but they are also addicted to...

the money.

what does that mean?

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Quote
mattkime

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cbelt3
the government (and the majority of the governed) want people to not smoke, but they are also addicted to...

the money.

what does that mean?

It's a fair point. IF the ultimate goal of the health community was reached, there would be no revenue from tobacco products that go to fund some programs (like Medicare in Illinois).

Of course, how much would the overall societal "cost" of smoking be reduced along the way?

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cbelt3
but they are also addicted to...

the money.

]

Given the sin tax rate increases in some places that chart would seem to indicate sales are down. (Just kinda looked at Ma. real quick)

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[www.freethegrapes.org]

norwegian wood reality TV

[www.youtube.com]

I think government's role in getting Americans to stop smoking and to protect them from second hand smoke has been nothing but a huge success, and of course efforts are continuing.

Now onto obesity. Sugar industry, you're next.

If they were "addicted to the money" then I'd expect them to encourage smoking, and that is certainly not the trend in legislation.

If you want an example of active encouragement of a dubious activity to enhance a "sin" tax, look at gambling.

According to the CDC those states with aggressive cessation campaigns have had the greatest gains.



1 in 5 people still smoke, so keep telling them they smell disgusting.
[www.cdc.gov]

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[www.freethegrapes.org]

norwegian wood reality TV

[www.youtube.com]

i've grown increasingly intolerant of smokers.

"why are you still doing that??"

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When I was in my 20s living in california, most people I knew smoked. Now, 50, no one I call a friend smokes. No one in my family smokes and the only people that I do know that smoke are idiots (for other reasons) - with one exception - just one.

Things have changed remarkably since the 80s. ANd now I see the cancer numbers are showing it too - no surprise here...

"I think government's role in getting Americans to stop smoking and to protect them from second hand smoke has been nothing but a huge success"

state, city & counties - yes, but the feds still get a thumbs down from me...

I expect that cigarette taxes discourage people from starting to smoke, and that's good. I don't have any stats to back that up but it seems reasonable to me.

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Lemon Drop
I think government's role in getting Americans to stop smoking and to protect them from second hand smoke has been nothing but a huge success, and of course efforts are continuing.

Now onto obesity. Sugar industry, you're next.

What do you like to eat? I'd like that banned. Let's see how you like it.

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Gutenberg
I expect that cigarette taxes discourage people from starting to smoke, and that's good. I don't have any stats to back that up but it seems reasonable to me.

I see this in research all the time. You come up with a hypothesis that you think should work then look for data to support it or report only that supports the theory. I know a lot of smokers. I have yet to see one quit because cigarettes cost too much.

And you said high prices "should" work"? Think again.

Surgeon general declares youth smoking an 'epidemic'

"Among U.S. high school seniors, one in four is a regular cigarette smoker, and because few high school smokers are able to quit, some 80 percent will continue to smoke as adults, according to the report released on Thursday."

[www.chicagotribune.com]

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Avenger

whatever

Higher rates of smoking correlated with lower rates of formal education, according to the Gallup organization. [www.livescience.com]

Perhaps instead of higher cigarette taxes, we should increase funding for formal education. Would conservatives prefer we did it that way?

that'll work

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[www.freethegrapes.org]

norwegian wood reality TV

[www.youtube.com]

As California's cig taxes have increased the revenue from tax has declined. Must be them Mexican cigs smuggled across the border that's kept them left coasters smoking at the same rate.

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Avenger
I know a lot of smokers. I have yet to see one quit because cigarettes cost too much.

I've known a couple.







so THERE!

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Quote
Acer
Higher rates of smoking correlated with lower rates of formal education, according to the Gallup organization. [www.livescience.com]

Perhaps instead of higher cigarette taxes, we should increase funding for formal education. Would conservatives prefer we did it that way?

Acer-
In Ohio the 'sin' taxes were supposed to go towards education. Of course... when the pigs see slop in another trough, they trot over and stick their snouts in. So the politicians spent it all buying votes.

Knowing people who don't quit smoking because of high prices has NOTHING to do with people who never start smoking because of high prices. Nothing whatsoever.

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"Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences." ~ Brian Eno

This is a very well established economic theory, that is true both for cigarettes and for almost any other good or service. So there is simply no question that increasing taxes reduces consumption, it is only a question of how much.

I otherwise agree that this has been a tremendous success. In the past, even the 80s or 90s, smokers and smoking was widespread. Now, I see and experience almost no smoking in my life at all, anywhere. My kids will grow up in a world in which very few smoke and smoking won't be occurring anywhere they go.

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$tevie
Knowing people who don't quit smoking because of high prices has NOTHING to do with people who never start smoking because of high prices. Nothing whatsoever.

I guess you missed my link on the epidemy of teen smoking. Smoking is still cheap.

Quote
michaelb
This is a very well established economic theory, that is true both for cigarettes and for almost any other good or service. So there is simply no question that increasing taxes reduces consumption, it is only a question of how much.

I otherwise agree that this has been a tremendous success. In the past, even the 80s or 90s, smokers and smoking was widespread. Now, I see and experience almost no smoking in my life at all, anywhere. My kids will grow up in a world in which very few smoke and smoking won't be occurring anywhere they go.

You too missed the link. Read it then opine.

I was responding to your statement about your friends who can't quit, not the article. I am still right that you were arguing apples instead of oranges, regardless of what your link says.

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"Stop thinking about art works as objects, and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences." ~ Brian Eno



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2012 09:11PM by $tevie.

The teenage smoking rate was higher in 1974--37 percent among 12th graders in 1974. So the rate is declining, and there is an interesting chart showing the teenage smoking rate rising from 1990-96. States started taxing the hell out of tobacco in the mid 90s. See the the decline on the chart? Could be a correlation there. See page 2 of the monograph.

[cancercontrol.cancer.gov]

My wife couldn't quit. I always associated smoking with lung cancer and emphysema and have been nagging her for years.

The reason I haven't been here lately is that I'm home nursing her after what was to be a double vascular bypass on both legs turned into a third aortic bypass and aneurysm repair. She can't get into or out of a chair, bed, toilet or shower on her own. She's nauseous and incontinent and after a week, not improving.

Every vascular surgeon we've talked with has unequivocally put the blame of plaque buildup on smoking cigarettes. They also indicated that this is only tip of the iceberg in that they can only go fix the life threatening build ups as they occur.

She should expect her entire vascular system is compromised and hope it doesn't exhibit anytime soon. She won't survive another vascular operation of this magnitude.

She couldn't stop smoking before, she will now.