April Fools...err those tobacco prices are for reals

stevew · 03-31-2009, 08:08 AM

Tomorrow one of the largest punitive tax raises in American history happens, and there's barely a peep about it. Rolling tobacco goes up like 25 bucks per pound. I know the anti smoker crowd will rejoice. But this sucks.

Kodos · 03-31-2009, 08:13 AM

*rejoices*

Ronnie Dobbs2 · 03-31-2009, 08:16 AM

I can't complain, as it will make it even easier for me to quit (three weeks and going) now that they'll be $8 a pack.

DaddyTorgo · 03-31-2009, 08:18 AM

woohoo!

Subby · 03-31-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodos

*rejoices*

Easy there - karma is going to raise the tax on Snickers and Ben n Jerry's if you start rejoicing too much.

Apathetic Lurker · 03-31-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodos

*rejoices*

tobacco nazi

Butter · 03-31-2009, 08:28 AM

Good thing my mom quit about 4 months ago... she couldn't afford it at the old prices, I can't imagine how expensive cigs are about to get.

Fidatelo · 03-31-2009, 08:40 AM

You guys still have it cheap, I think the poor bastards who smoke up here are paying like $11 a pack.

Lathum · 03-31-2009, 08:43 AM

not one ounce of sympathy.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-31-2009, 08:43 AM

Actually they went up around here a couple of weeks ago, in anticipation of the tax increase.

(okay, to be fair, I think they were planning to retroactively tax existing inventory so it probably wasn't a price gouge but it still felt like one)

As all of the newspaper coverage around the state has pointed out, there's no real expectation by smokers nor retailers that there'll be any significant drop in consumption, just a reallocation of spending. As one guy somewhere around Macon put it, (paraphrasing as close as I can) "it won't really make much difference to me, I already keep my tobacco money & my rent money separate from everything else, I'll just be buying less of something else and between gas prices and cigarette prices I'm getting used to less of other stuff"

Kodos · 03-31-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

Easy there - karma is going to raise the tax on Snickers and Ben n Jerry's if you start rejoicing too much.

As long as there is no tax increase on Goldfish and fruit smoothies, I'll be okay!

MizzouRah · 03-31-2009, 08:53 AM

How much is marijuana going up?

lungs · 03-31-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

How much is marijuana going up?

Marijuana prices around here have held steady since I started smoking 12 years ago.

Chubby · 03-31-2009, 09:22 AM

At my store we're actually selling more cigarettes per week now as pricewise we are pretty cheap compared to our competition. so thumbs up to the tax increase from me

We'll see how our new company policy of no smoking except on your lunch break flees since it starts tomorrow as well...

Passacaglia · 03-31-2009, 09:28 AM

I guess b's cost more than c's.

Tasan · 03-31-2009, 09:33 AM

Anyone else chuckle when the guy who has "Location: My Car" admits to being a pot smoker for 12 years?

Ronnie Dobbs2 · 03-31-2009, 09:35 AM

His car is a Denali, though.

Mizzou B-ball fan · 03-31-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tasan

Anyone else chuckle when the guy who has "Location: My Car" admits to being a pot smoker for 12 years?

I pulled up to a stoplight the other day and nearly got stoned from the secondary marijuana smoke coming out of the window of the car next to me. Potent stuff.

Noop · 03-31-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lungs

Marijuana prices around here have held steady since I started smoking 12 years ago.

It's been five years for me and I love it.

Dutch · 03-31-2009, 10:03 AM

As someone who smokes or doesn't smoke based on price, I quit smoking in 2000 because of high smoke prices in California. (I returned to the habit for a couple of years while I was in Turkey where the price was roughly 75 cents a pack.)

In any event, this will just solidify my inability to return to the habit. So if the intent of the tax hike is to stop average everyday Americans from smoking, it at least worked on me.

sooner333 · 03-31-2009, 10:38 AM

It's all about the kids.

Bad-example · 03-31-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

not one ounce of sympathy.

+

sterlingice · 03-31-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

Easy there - karma is going to raise the tax on Snickers and Ben n Jerry's if you start rejoicing too much.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(actually, I don't really eat much of either, but I felt someone had to say it)

SI

Noop · 03-31-2009, 10:58 AM

I bet if they taxed starbuck coffee some of you would bitch but smoking no problem. I want them to tax the douche bags with the bluetooth headsets...

Ronnie Dobbs2 · 03-31-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lathum

not one ounce of sympathy.

Believe me, it would be the last thing I would ask for.

Fidatelo · 03-31-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noop

I bet if they taxed starbuck coffee some of you would bitch but smoking no problem. I want them to tax the douche bags with the bluetooth headsets...

Agree 100% on bluetooth fags. Although I sort of wonder if looking like a giant dick cheese isn't already a kind of tax of its own.

Subby · 03-31-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noop

I bet if they taxed starbuck coffee some of you would bitch but smoking no problem. I want them to tax the douche bags with the bluetooth headsets...

How can you equate the negative health impacts of tobacco to that of coffee beans?

Maybe you *should* stop getting high.

Greyroofoo · 03-31-2009, 11:21 AM

I'm personally a big fan of any tax I don't pay.

JediKooter · 03-31-2009, 11:21 AM

I guess it's just like anything else, you want it bad enough, you'll pay for it.

Noop · 03-31-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

How can you equate the negative health impacts of tobacco to that of coffee beans?

Maybe you *should* stop getting high.

Maybe you should go fuck yourself.

DanGarion · 03-31-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodos

As long as there is no tax increase on Goldfish and fruit smoothies, I'll be okay!

Just think, some day they will tax porn...

Drake · 03-31-2009, 11:38 AM

I'm quitting as of today, so I guess the tax increase is having the desired effect.

For the next few weeks, I'll be giving my money to Big Pharmaceutical (i.e., patches and gum) instead of Big Tobacco.

Schmidty · 03-31-2009, 11:40 AM

Are they going to tax high fructose corn syrup and trans fat next? Huge differences in taxes for products because of morality/health issues is yet another way the government subtly takes a sliver of freedom away from the people. I know that sounds overly dramatic, but I think it's true.

And I despise cigarettes and smoke, so it's not like I have a personal agenda.

lungs · 03-31-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noop

It's been five years for me and I love it.

Yeah, it's been a pretty standard $20-25 for 1/8 ounce of crap and $50-60 for an 1/8 ounce of good shit since I first picked up a bong. On the other hand, in the same time frame, I used to be able to pick up a pack of my Basic Lights for under $3.

I smoke an eighth and a pack a week.... so $55 a week for my bad habits. That sure was hell to scrounge up when I was poor in college but I don't even flinch anymore paying that.

MizzouRah · 03-31-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lungs

Marijuana prices around here have held steady since I started smoking 12 years ago.

Same answer my wife gave me.

Subby · 03-31-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noop

Maybe you should go fuck yourself.

A little sensitive about being a drug-addled dumbass?

JediKooter · 03-31-2009, 12:08 PM

What's the old saying? The only two things guaranteed in life are death and taxes?

Mustang · 03-31-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lungs

Yeah, it's been a pretty standard $20-25 for 1/8 ounce of crap and $50-60 for an 1/8 ounce of good shit since I first picked up a bong. On the other hand, in the same time frame, I used to be able to pick up a pack of my Basic Lights for under $3.

You have a bong in the shape of an udder don't you??

Schmidty · 03-31-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

A little sensitive about being a drug-addled dumbass?

I love the word "addled". I need to find a way to use it more often.

Subby · 03-31-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

I love the word "addled". I need to find a way to use it more often.

Talk about noop's ability to think critically and you will find yourself using it a lot.

Honolulu_Blue · 03-31-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

Are they going to tax high fructose corn syrup and trans fat next? Huge differences in taxes for products because of morality/health issues is yet another way the government subtly takes a sliver of freedom away from the people. I know that sounds overly dramatic, but I think it's true.

And I despise cigarettes and smoke, so it's not like I have a personal agenda.

Just like that sliver of freedom the government subtly took from all those corporations dumping toxic chemicals into the water and pumping them into the air by all those damned environmental laws.

FREEEEEEEEEDOM!

Schmidty · 03-31-2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Just like that sliver of freedom the government subtly took from all those corporations dumping toxic chemicals into the water and pumping them into the air by all those damned environmental laws.

FREEEEEEEEEDOM!

So are you saying that we should have huge taxes on anything that's unhealthy for people, or fine a parent for feeding their kids greasy burgers all the time? I mean, the kids can't help it, but the parent can. Where does it all end?

By the way, I'm hardly a flag-waving wacko dressed in red white and blue, I just see the government taking control of more and more things, and it scares me.

Dr. Sak · 03-31-2009, 12:22 PM

I have no problem with higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol. I don't smoke but some would say I like to drink

lordscarlet · 03-31-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanGarion

Just think, some day they will tax porn...

People pay for porn?

Tigercat · 03-31-2009, 12:30 PM

Smoking over processed and dried tobacco just isn't worth it. You don't get enough of a lasting effect to justify the smoke and chemicals you are putting in your body. So while it is a dick move that governments are overtaxing something, I am happy for the smokers that this forces to quit.

Honolulu_Blue · 03-31-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

So are you saying that we should have huge taxes on anything that's unhealthy for people, or fine a parent for feeding their kids greasy burgers all the time? I mean, the kids can't help it, but the parent can. Where does it all end?

No. But smoking is decidedly different in that if you're smoking next to me, I receive some of the ill effects. It's essentially pollution on a much smaller, personal scale (which is why the environmental analogy works).

I think the government has the right to step into do something about individual actions when they have the potential to harm other people.

I don't get fat if you feed your kid a greasy burger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmidty

By the way, I'm hardly a flag-waving wacko dressed in red white and blue, I just see the government taking control of more and more things, and it scares me.

You may not have a flag or dess in red white and blue, but I've known you far too long around here to think you anything but a wacko.

Honolulu_Blue · 03-31-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

People pay for porn?

I would think that, in this day and age, only people who are confused by the internet, people who are lazy or people who have a bit of an addicition problem are the ones who pay for porn.

lungs · 03-31-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mustang

You have a bong in the shape of an udder don't you??

No, they don't market marijuana utensils for farmers

molson · 03-31-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

No. But smoking is decidedly different in that if you're smoking next to me, I receive some of the ill effects. It's essentially pollution on a much smaller, personal scale (which is why the environmental analogy works).

I think the government has the right to step into do something about individual actions when they have the potential to harm other people.

I don't get fat if you feed your kid a greasy burger.

You may not have a flag or dess in red white and blue, but I've known you far too long around here to think you anything but a wacko.

Not to mention the fact that society will end up paying a fortune for people's emphysema, cancer, and heart disease.

I'm a low-tax, smaller government guy, but of all taxes, let's be most aggressive in taxing things that are completely optional, and make the world incredibly worse (as opposed to say, income).

Schmidty · 03-31-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

No. But smoking is decidedly different in that if you're smoking next to me, I receive some of the ill effects. It's essentially pollution on a much smaller, personal scale (which is why the environmental analogy works).

I think the government has the right to step into do something about individual actions when they have the potential to harm other people.

I don't get fat if you feed your kid a greasy burger.

But isn't the government already doing something about it by banning smoking in public building, and workplaces? No one has to smell smoke when they go out anymore (other than a tiny wiff from the car in front of you or something), so unless you choose to, you don't have to take in any significant amount of second-hand smoke.

I will say that it's true that kids can't avoid it if their parents smoke, and that sucks; however, that brings up my greasy burger thing - isn't making your kid obese similarly bad as smoking around them? If so, why not fine them for serving unhealthy foods, since the parents are being punished with taxes in cigarettes in the same way?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

You may not have a flag or dess in red white and blue, but I've known you far too long around here to think you anything but a wacko.

You've got me pegged.

03-31-2009, 08:13 AM	#2
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	rejoices __________________ Author of The Bill Gates Challenge, as well as other groundbreaking dynasties.

03-31-2009, 08:16 AM	#3
Ronnie Dobbs2 Pro Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bahston Mass	I can't complain, as it will make it even easier for me to quit (three weeks and going) now that they'll be $8 a pack. __________________ There's no I in Teamocil, at least not where you'd think

03-31-2009, 08:28 AM	#7
Butter Coordinator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dayton, OH	Good thing my mom quit about 4 months ago... she couldn't afford it at the old prices, I can't imagine how expensive cigs are about to get. __________________ My listening habits

03-31-2009, 08:40 AM	#8
Fidatelo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB	You guys still have it cheap, I think the poor bastards who smoke up here are paying like $11 a pack. __________________ "Breakfast? Breakfast schmekfast, look at the score for God's sake. It's only the second period and I'm winning 12-2. Breakfasts come and go, Rene, but Hartford, the Whale, they only beat Vancouver maybe once or twice in a lifetime." Last edited by Fidatelo : 03-31-2009 at 08:41 AM. Reason: spelling

03-31-2009, 08:43 AM	#10
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Actually they went up around here a couple of weeks ago, in anticipation of the tax increase. (okay, to be fair, I think they were planning to retroactively tax existing inventory so it probably wasn't a price gouge but it still felt like one) As all of the newspaper coverage around the state has pointed out, there's no real expectation by smokers nor retailers that there'll be any significant drop in consumption, just a reallocation of spending. As one guy somewhere around Macon put it, (paraphrasing as close as I can) "it won't really make much difference to me, I already keep my tobacco money & my rent money separate from everything else, I'll just be buying less of something else and between gas prices and cigarette prices I'm getting used to less of other stuff" __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

03-31-2009, 08:18 AM	#4
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	woohoo!

03-31-2009, 08:43 AM	#9
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	not one ounce of sympathy.

03-31-2009, 08:53 AM	#12
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	How much is marijuana going up?

03-31-2009, 09:22 AM	#14
Chubby Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Syracuse, NY	At my store we're actually selling more cigarettes per week now as pricewise we are pretty cheap compared to our competition. so thumbs up to the tax increase from me We'll see how our new company policy of no smoking except on your lunch break flees since it starts tomorrow as well...

03-31-2009, 09:28 AM	#15
Passacaglia Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Big Ten Country	I guess b's cost more than c's.

03-31-2009, 09:33 AM	#16
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	Anyone else chuckle when the guy who has "Location: My Car" admits to being a pot smoker for 12 years? __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

03-31-2009, 09:35 AM	#17
Ronnie Dobbs2 Pro Rookie Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bahston Mass	His car is a Denali, though. __________________ There's no I in Teamocil, at least not where you'd think

03-31-2009, 10:03 AM	#20
Dutch "Dutch" Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Tampa, FL	As someone who smokes or doesn't smoke based on price, I quit smoking in 2000 because of high smoke prices in California. (I returned to the habit for a couple of years while I was in Turkey where the price was roughly 75 cents a pack.) In any event, this will just solidify my inability to return to the habit. So if the intent of the tax hike is to stop average everyday Americans from smoking, it at least worked on me.

03-31-2009, 10:38 AM	#21
sooner333 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Norman, OK	It's all about the kids.

03-31-2009, 10:58 AM	#24
Noop Bonafide Seminole Fan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Miami	I bet if they taxed starbuck coffee some of you would bitch but smoking no problem. I want them to tax the douche bags with the bluetooth headsets... __________________ Subby's favorite woman hater.

03-31-2009, 11:21 AM	#28
Greyroofoo Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alabama	I'm personally a big fan of any tax I don't pay.

03-31-2009, 11:21 AM	#29
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	I guess it's just like anything else, you want it bad enough, you'll pay for it. __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4

03-31-2009, 11:38 AM	#32
Drake assmaster Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bloomington, IN	I'm quitting as of today, so I guess the tax increase is having the desired effect. For the next few weeks, I'll be giving my money to Big Pharmaceutical (i.e., patches and gum) instead of Big Tobacco.

03-31-2009, 11:40 AM	#33
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Are they going to tax high fructose corn syrup and trans fat next? Huge differences in taxes for products because of morality/health issues is yet another way the government subtly takes a sliver of freedom away from the people. I know that sounds overly dramatic, but I think it's true. And I despise cigarettes and smoke, so it's not like I have a personal agenda. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

03-31-2009, 12:08 PM	#37
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	What's the old saying? The only two things guaranteed in life are death and taxes? __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4

03-31-2009, 12:22 PM	#43
Dr. Sak Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Stuck in Yinzerville, PA	I have no problem with higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol. I don't smoke but some would say I like to drink

03-31-2009, 12:30 PM	#45
Tigercat College Starter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Federal Way, WA	Smoking over processed and dried tobacco just isn't worth it. You don't get enough of a lasting effect to justify the smoke and chemicals you are putting in your body. So while it is a dick move that governments are overtaxing something, I am happy for the smokers that this forces to quit.

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