Republicans and tobacco

[Ragman]

The use of tobacco is not the point of this thread, so don't go there.

I thought self responsibility and small government was the mantra of the Repubs. If thats the case, how can they promote such big-brotherism? Just asking?

Sen. Majority Leader McConnell to introduce bill to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco to 21

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will introduce legislation to raise the federal minimum age to buy tobacco to 21 from 18.

www.cnbc.com

 

[LDB]

Because it's the right thing to do and should have been done long ago. Along with an exponential increase in the tax with a mandatory stipulation the money can only be used for healthcare.

 

[Ragman]

Because it's the right thing to do and should have been done long ago. Along with an exponential increase in the tax with a mandatory stipulation the money can only be used for healthcare.

Wow! What a liberal thing to say.

 

[Turtle]

If politicians were concerned about the health and welfare of the people they would simply ban tobacco.

Instead of taxing it like crazy.

 

[LDB]

Common sense. And yes, it should be banned but that would only work about as well as banning drugs or alcohol. So extreme taxing is the next option.

 

[Pilgrim]

We already have extreme taxing on tobacco products, cigarettes in particular - with revenues supposedly going to education and health care in many states. This creates a black market in places like NY, and new innovation like the vaping industry which has attracted so many young smokers in need of a nicotine fix. Congress doesn't have the stones to take on the tobacco lobby in spite of the fact that their product - when used as directed - kills people.

How High Are Cigarette Taxes in Your State?

Cigarette taxes are touted as a fix for revenue shortfalls, but have become and increasingly volatile revenue stream as cigarette consumption declines.

taxfoundation.org