Come April 1, cigarettes will cost as much as $7.50 a pack
by Tracy Moore
If you notice convenience store clerks looking a little beleaguered these days, it's possible they're weathering a slew of peeved customers experiencing sticker shock.
Come April 1, the federal tax on a pack of cigs increases to $1.01. Add in a state tax increase to 62 cents a pack, and a pack of Camels or Marlboros will soon run you $6.75. Parliaments and American Spirits will jump to about $7.50. And that nickel cigar you used to smoke will take a grand leap to 40 cents.
It's all part of the latest round of new taxes on smokers, who've become the go-to target for lawmakers seeking no-conflict tax hikes. Because they lack political power and public sympathy, they're seen as an easy mark for raising money for everything from health care to general funds. But if you ask smokers, the government may have finally overplayed its hand.
"I'll probably have to quit," says a ponytailed man puffing on a Basic on Elliston Place. "Or else smoke marijuana. They can't control that."
"Yeah, I don't think I'm going to keep smoking when that happens," says Edward Sutton, who ducks out of a Circle K with a pack of Marlboro Lights. "That's way too much."
It's not like there's an alterative. To keep smokers from retreating to more cost-efficient grounds, lawmakers also raised the tax on roll-your-own tobacco by a stunning 2,200 percent. The federal tax on a pound will go from $1.09 to $24.78.
There's a logical motive, of course, in that rising costs presume a corresponding decrease in the health hazard of smoking. And in this case, the money supports the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)—the Hillary Clinton-designed, twice Bush-vetoed, Obama-approved program that provides insurance for kids too rich for Medicaid but too poor for Blue Cross.
But since smokers statistically tend to be lower income, the irony is that the poor will now be funding the poor. And irrespective of philosophical arguments, that doesn't sound like a stable way to fund a health program, especially in a recession.
Elliston Pipe and Tobacco manager John Mahan has seen these kinds of programs fail in the past. In the end, he believes all taxpayers will be footing the bill.
"I have no problem with helping poor children get insurance," he says. "None whatsoever. It's the hypocrisy to achieve that. It's like raising cigarettes to help the schools. It's never worked. People just go to another state to buy cigarettes or quit smoking. They appropriate all the money up front and spend it, and then there's all kinds of stupid earmarks that bleed us dry. And then they turn around and raise our property taxes or whatever else, because they didn't get the money they projected from selling cigarettes."
Because prices will rise so much, it may soon be worth the drive to make bulk purchases across state lines. Until then, smokers have a few weeks to stockpile.
Yet local convenience stores aren't cooperating. Some have already jacked prices. Others recently posted signs imposing daily limits. At Mapco on Franklin Pike, customers are restricted to five cartons a day. But clerks have been ordered not to talk about the tax increase, and calls to Mapco headquarters were ignored—perhaps because businesses will also take a hit.
Though it's already been taxed once, any unsold roll-your-own tobacco will be taxed again at the new rate. For Elliston's owner Dean Trathen, that means paying a double-tax on his current stock.
"It doesn't matter how long I've had it, and they don't care if I ever sell it," says Trathen, who's sitting on about 150 pounds of tobacco on the store floor. "I'm trying to get rid of all I've got. But I've got tobacco in here I've had for over 10 years. It does not go bad. And they're gonna make me pay tax on it again just because I still have it."
He's also worried that the 2,200 percent increase on roll-your-own tobacco may force some manufacturers out of business. Marg Harbaugh, who works for Peter Stokkebye's, a top-selling brand from Denmark, believes her company will survive.
"We do expect it to slow down for a couple of months and then to bounce back, but not totally," she says. "It just may take a while for people to readjust."
A spokesperson for Congressman Jim Cooper's office says the monster increase on roll-your-own is meant to equalize its cost with conventional cigarettes. Trathen sees more nefarious motives. He considers it the end-game of the major cigarette company lobbyists, who want to take away a cheaper alternative to their own products.
"It's the cigarette companies that are behind this," says Trathen. "See, they don't make any money off somebody rolling their own cigarettes. A lot of places are going to have to go out of business. They can't pay this tax. Talk about a Boston Tea Party. When the tax is more than the product, it'd be cheaper to throw it overboard."
Or it may simply leave smokers to quit—emphasis on the may.
"Yeah, I could quit," says Mahan slyly. "But then how would the children get their health insurance?"
Email tmoore@nashvillescene.com, or call 615-744-3362.
Comments (29)
Showing 1-25 of 29
We can't afford to live now. We are lucky to get our light bill paid. How can they tax the only thing we got left. This will just makes us lose everything else too.
like
dislike
Our government, hard at work again!??? Can we tax alcohol please? Smoking doesn't alter my senses causing me to crash into another vehicle. Geez! I will simply go out of state to purchase cigarettes now. How sad that the hard core non-smokers have the means to make these taxes happen. No doubt, they sign these new taxes into law, and follow up by celebrating at a local bar. That's messed up.
This sounds illegal to me, and I agree with the other comment on taxing all Alcohol. you are going to be charged as much as $75.00 for a carton of cigarettes Try charging that for a 6 pack!! Booze kills more than smoking, you can get dieased from too much alcohol, plus you drink and drive and kill someone, more rape and other crime is caused by drinking but that's ok because its accepted!! I pay my taxes just as much as a non-smoker and I should not be singled out because I choose to smoke. I will take my money out of state and buy them so you will still lose!!!
This sounds illegal to me, and I agree with the other comment on taxing all Alcohol. you are going to be charged as much as $75.00 for a carton of cigarettes Try charging that for a 6 pack!! Booze kills more than smoking, you can get dieased from too much alcohol, plus you drink and drive and kill someone, more rape and other crime is caused by drinking but that's ok because its accepted!! I pay my taxes just as much as a non-smoker and I should not be singled out because I choose to smoke. I will take my money out of state and buy them so you will still lose!!!
They don't call 'em "smoking Nazis" for nothing. Adolf Hitler would be proud of us. Google hitler anti smoking and you'll see who started all this.
I think this whole thing is crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!people are going to smoke no matter what goverment does.They say it's for the smoker this also is crap.I believe the federal taxes are making up for the deficit the whole country is in and I think it horriable that they are hitting smoker's. What about coffee drinker,coke drinker,what about children's things, anything but smoker's. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!
When is the public going to understand, WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT? I really totally love Obama however, Obama 'claims' he's for the lower classes, and allows these very wrongful taxes on cigarette's to go forth! I guess if your running for office you say what needs to be heard, once in office don't let your left hand know what your right is doing. The Governor of Tennessee has done 'much' worst! I gave the idea of a new lottery power ball for Tennessee schools to the Tennessee House, which would free 'huge' funds for other department state budgets. Many people in the house thought it was a great answer to the up coming troubles which we are now having. NO, our 'great' unfeeling Governor said, "I don't want it!" So, the Lord has spoken! Now see his judgment making is not realistic for the people, it's mostly ego! Like him saying, "I feel this, and the hell with you all!" And the public just rolls up into a ball, says "Gee, OK." If his ego would trim itself down and take his head out of a dark hole, he'd see the real truth for once, the budget troubles wouldn't be there and the poor scared state employees wouldn't be worried sick about their jobs! The ego backed misjudgments of this man shocks me! The new lottery power ball for schools wouldn't hurt the other power ball sells at all. People which likes using the 'freewill tax' would buy 'both' power balls. It would free up much money for the state budgets, as well in helping the state budget to stay more fit (Unless a national total breakdown happens.) for up to 20 yrs! It's been 'proved' his sick judgment on higher taxes on cigarette's etc is a 'total' failure, again his ego stays in the way of truth. If the new lottery power ball was put into action and then roll back the taxes on cigs etc, the budget would improve towards the right dirction. I did like this man when he was Mayor of Nashville for he used my ideas of whats now called 'The L P Field and to buy a pro football team, which is now called 'The Titans' The Nashville Film Commission and bringing arts to Nashville. However, the rest of what he did was the same closed minded way he's doing as Governor of Tennessee. Which isn't for, by and with all the people! When is the state House and Senate going to wake up? Throw their power united against this ego closed minded judgments he's doing? He was elected to help our state, not elected in hurting our state which he's doing as a matter of fact. It's on the record! Now, from Jim Cooper all the way to shockingly Clinton and Obama is making judgments which will hurt people and all the budgets, because of raising these cigarettes taxes to such a unrealistic level in which isn't going to work, this has been proved as a matter of fact! The answer? Like I've said over the years and people not hearing, nor caring, and for the perts given from lobbist! We hold neighborhoods meeting throughout the state and in all other states one night per month. Kroger's, Burger King, etc would give foods such as hamburgers, hot dogs etc for advertising. You'd ask, "How do you know people would come?" Well, have a national voting photo I D and when you show this Voter photo I D, and come to all 12 meetings per year, there could be a $2,000 tax deduction for those who goes to these meetings, in stating what they wish their future to be in America. Instead of just rolling up into a ball and saying, "Gee, OK!" I'm 'not' saying these things because I want people to smoke, it's been proved 'over' smoking is bad! I'm saying it's the right for the people themselves to make up their own minds, not be 'forced' to change something over others misguided ego filled judgment's. Such as our so-called Governor and others! So, what are 'you' going to do which is reading this right now? Demand our elected to do the above and save our budgets? Or, just roll up into a ball and say, "Gee, OK!" The other ideas I've given: http://myspace.com/elvisaaronpresleyjr
FIRST AND FORMOST I DO NOT APPRECIATE BEING CLASSIFIED AS UNEDUCATIED OR AS BEING A UNDERPAID UNDERCLASS PERSON JUST BECAUSE I SMOKE THE FACT THAT TENN. WANTS SMOKERS TO FUND THEIR PROGECTS ISNT THAT WHAT WE PAY TAXES FOR IF U WANT SOMEONE TO HELP U ASK A SMOKER THEY WILL GIVE TO YOU QUICKER AND A LOT MORE THAN MOST NON SMOKERS I MANAGED A DINNING ROOM IN A POPULAR REST. IN HENDERSONVILLE AND ONE SIDE WAS SMOKING AND THE OTHER SIDE NON SMOKERS AND THE NON SMOKING SIDE WAS ALWAYS TRASHED WHERE NONS WOULD POUR OUT SALT PEPPER OR MIN KETCHUP AND STEAK SAUCE AND SPERAD AROUND TABLE PULL NAPKINS OUT AND IT WAS JUST A MESS AT CLOSE THE GIRLS WOULD ARGUE ABOUT WHO GOT STUCK CLEANING NON-SMOKING SO WE ALL PUT NON SMOKERS IN THE NASTY SECTION EVEN THO NONS TRY TO SAY THAT SMOKERS ARE SO NASTY PEOPLE WHO CHEW AND POP GUM REPULSE ME AND WHEN I ASKED A WOMAN TO PLEASE STOP POPPING HER GUN SHE DID IT MORE AND LOUDER AND TOLD ME NO THIS IS AMERICA AND I CAN DO WHATEVER I PLEASE ITS A FREE COUNTRY I THINK IF TENN. HAS SUCH A HUDGE RAINY SAY FUND USE THAT ITS NOT RAINNING TIS STORMING WAGES DO NOT KEEP UP WITH THE RISING OF RENTS LIGHTS WATER FOOD GAS DRUGS CAR REPAIRS ECT. ECT/ WHAT DO U THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DO TO SURIVE WHATEVER THEY HAVE TO BY ANY MEANS YOU PEOPLE CUT YOUR OWN THROATS WHEN YOU MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO SURIVE AND THAT BUSINESS ABOUT NES WORKING WITH PEOPLE NOT TO CUT OFF SERVICE THAT WAS A OUT AND OUT LIE THEY SAY YOU ARE 60 AOR MORE DAYS IN THE REAR AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT THEY SEND A NEW BILL OUT EVERY 17-20 DAYS AND OF COURSE YOUR IN THE REAR ITS DESIGNED THAT WAY IT SEEMS LIKE TIMES ARE TOUGH ENOUGH WHY MAKE IT HARDER BECAUSE YOU DONT SPEND YOUR PROFITS BACK INTO YOUR OWN BUSINESS THATS WHAT PEOPLE USE TO DO NOW YOU JUST PAY OUT BIG BIG BIG BONUSES AND CAHRGE CUSTOMERS MORE TO FUND YOUR PROJECTS PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS WHY BECAUSE YOU CAN TENNESSEE IS THE MOST GREEDY MONEY HUNGRY STATE IHAVE SEEN AND THEY MAY HELP THE POOR LITTLE AS THEY DO BUT BEST BELIEVE YOU GET TREATED LIKE A SECOND CLASS CITIZEN AND SOME HELPERS TELL YOU THEY ONLY HELP THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THEIR CHURCH IT WOULD BE BEST IF YOU FOUND YOURSELF A CHURCH HONE AND LET THEM HELP YOU BUT TURN AND AND THROW A BIG BASH HALLOWEEN A PAGAN HOLIDAY WHOM SOME PASTORS WOULD NOT EVEN BE FREE MEN HAD NOT A CHURCH PERSON CAME TO HELP THEM GET OUT OF PRISON EVEN THO HE WASNT A MEMBER OF THEIR CHURCH PITFUL WHAT THEY GRT AWAY WITH SAME ON EVERYONE WHO JUST KEEPS MAKING IT HARDER ON PEOPLE TO LIVE USE YOUR OWN MONEY FROM YOUR BUSINESS TO KEEP IT GOING AND STOP BEING SO GREEDY YOUR ALREADING CHARGING HIGH ENOUGH PRICES TO TURN A GOOD PROFIT USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE NOT TO YOUR CUSTOMERS DISADVANTAGE
Yes, since the federal government is adding all these federal taxes on cigarettes. The state of Tennesse can take off what Mr. Bredesen put on. All smokers in Tennesee should call the Governors office and demand that the taxes be take off. If now, watch an influx of smokers going to Kentucky or Georgia, or Alabama to get their packs of cigarettes cheaper. As always its the governors fault
america,freedom what a joke,we need a whole new goverment,there has to be some way of stoping all this i dont drink ,dont do drugs byt i do enjoy my coffee and cig.this is bull im not rich and can not afford this bull i hate my gov.we should be able to decide what we do with our bodies and how we live our lifes,isnt that why all those foriengers come here???why dont they tax people on what there weight is,when all these smokers quite there will be more over weight people that is a health risk to .this is just wrong,tax liquor,beer wine nooo to many of the damn congress drink,i will never vote again america is not my grandfathers america anymore....
i think we pay to much now to smoke raising the cigerette tax this high i will have to qui. i cann't aford the know
People are going to keep on smoking they are just going to stop paying bills or let there kids go more hungry then they are. The only enjoyment the poor had for years is there smoking and we are going to always have the poor with us.
People are going to keep on smoking they are just going to stop paying bills or let there kids go more hungry then they are. The only enjoyment the poor had for years is there smoking and we are going to always have the poor with us.
I don't smoke anymore but if I did that is totally ricidulous to charge that much for cigarettes. A person who smokes could be doing a lot worse things and that is their choice if they smoke or not so I don't think it will stop anyone.
I understand smoking is not good for your health. But this is insane. Instead of blaming the companies that are responsible for the ingredients they have added to cigarettes which has made it harder for a smoker to stop. The State of TN is punishing the smokers. They have and cont to allow these companies to slide by once again. When the lawsuit was won, there should have been "FREE" Rehab centers opened to help people that would like to stop and cannot (with only one chance of falling off the wagon). But now I feel sorry for TN, they will not stop there. Next, will be that food you love so much, that has been PUMPED with ingredients that you are now addicted too! The Government is allowing that too! And it is a huge cause of cancer,and those chemicals in the air you breath everyday!! When cigarettes are outlawed, and the cancer deaths keep going up. People will see they have been deceived by the Govt for years!!
I SAY LET'S SLAM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WITH CALLS AND PROTEST!! WE HAVE JUST HAS MANY RIGHTS AS ANYONE ELSE. WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUT IN A CAVE TO SMOKE. WHY KEEP PUNISHING US? MAYBE HE CAN PICK ON THE ALCOHOLICS FOR A CHANGE. OOPS!! I'M SORRY, THAT WOULD MEAN LESS DUI'S, AND LESS DEATHS FROM DRUNK DRIVERS!! WE WOULDN'T WON'T THAT, NOW WOULD WE?
I have just decided to quit smoking. Let them bleed someone else dry and then maybe everyone will say enough is enough. Look out property owners, business owners, car owners, food buyers and everyone else your next.LOL
You don't see the offcials raising tyaxes on booze because they are probably all drunks and that would hit "thier" wallets.
You don't see the offcials raising tyaxes on booze because they are probably all drunks and that would hit "thier" wallets.
Really, I would love to quit smoking but my insurance will not pay for any stop smoking prescriptions. Although, If you are a drunk, insurances will pay for alcohol rehab, same with being a drug user. If you are overweight, again insurances will pay for bypass surgeries. So, instead of punishing a smoker. give us the means and oppotunities to overcome our addiction. In our counrty, you can be addicted to drugs, alcohol, food, whatever, and there is help to overcome, but as a smoker, you are just scumb so you get punished.
I am continually outraged at the increased restrictions imposed on smokers. First, smoking has been banned in all hospital areas, restaurants and most public places. And now another tax increase! Yes, we all agree smoking is bad. Second hand smoking is also bad, but what about alcohol? Parents can take their children out to dinner, drink and then put the children in the car and drive home. Please check your numbers for deaths caused by drinking and driving. This is a stressful time for each and every one of us and that makes it much harder to quit. Even if you do not smoke, I am sure you must realize slowly but surley our rights are being taken away.
Can you say "suicide"? I thought you could. What are all these government officials going to do when/if suicide rates rocket (not plummet)? Oh, no! There goes their taxes...six feet under! You can't tax a dead man/woman. Not many smokers can just up and quit at the drop of a hat. Sometimes smoking is the only thing that keeps them "sane" in this insane world. Not everyone can afford to go to a Doctor and get a perscription for some anti depressant/anxiety medication. Hell, the damn doctor bill plus the cost of the meds cost more than a cheap carton of cigs. Not to mention all the warnings: "Do not operate heavy machinery" "May cause drowsiness" "In some cases "" has been known to cause numbness in limbs, epilepsy, moments of dementia..." Cigs MAY cause cancer, but not everyone who has smoked has died FROM cancer. At least a smoker doesn't have to worry about falling asleep behind the wheel because of an "adverse reaction", such as drowsiness caused from such drugs. Hey, I tried quitting "cold turkey", I ended up with a knife in one hand and the blade running down the other arm. How's THAT for adverse effects of *quitting*??? Scipe Tenn. I'll go spend my money else where, see how they like their residents supporting another state. No wonder Tenn. is one of the POOREST states in the "Union". Tenn. is driving its citizens to dementia, hence so many on welfare and SSI. In many towns, the chance for advancement is non-existent--hence people commuting or moving to another state. God bless this backwards, hole in the ground, medieval state we live in--NOT!!!
Can you say "suicide"? I thought you could. What are all these government officials going to do when/if suicide rates rocket (not plummet)? Oh, no! There goes their taxes...six feet under! You can't tax a dead man/woman. Not many smokers can just up and quit at the drop of a hat. Sometimes smoking is the only thing that keeps them "sane" in this insane world. Not everyone can afford to go to a Doctor and get a perscription for some anti depressant/anxiety medication. Hell, the damn doctor bill plus the cost of the meds cost more than a cheap carton of cigs. Not to mention all the warnings: "Do not operate heavy machinery" "May cause drowsiness" "In some cases "" has been known to cause numbness in limbs, epilepsy, moments of dementia..." Cigs MAY cause cancer, but not everyone who has smoked has died FROM cancer. At least a smoker doesn't have to worry about falling asleep behind the wheel because of an "adverse reaction", such as drowsiness caused from such drugs. Hey, I tried quitting "cold turkey", I ended up with a knife in one hand and the blade running down the other arm. How's THAT for adverse effects of *quitting*??? Scipe Tenn. I'll go spend my money else where, see how they like their residents supporting another state. No wonder Tenn. is one of the POOREST states in the "Union". Tenn. is driving its citizens to dementia, hence so many on welfare and SSI. In many towns, the chance for advancement is non-existent--hence people commuting or moving to another state. God bless this backwards, hole in the ground, medieval state we live in--NOT!!!
