Tax Increase designed to curb sales !

[AMP]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=070617_1_A1_spanc56844

Interesting article redarding how increased tax on single type of product designed to curb sales.  

[TheArtist]

Excellent program. Wish the fed gov would raise taxes on tobacco products as well. We need keep pushing for the extra tax revenue to be wisely used for medical and educational purposes. Our state has some of the highest rates of smoking and worst health problems and life expectancy rates.

[cannon_fodder]

The problem with morality taxes (or whatever you want to call them) is it puts the government in the position of telling people what they should, and should not be doing.  While most people will agree curbing smoking is a good idea, the extra tax revenue should be earmarked for anti-smoking campaigns, lung health care , or similar items.

I don't want the government thinking this is a great 'new' source of revenue and deciding it doesnt like other things, so should over tax them.

Be afraid.

[aoxamaxoa]

Too bad they don't put a tax on junk fatty foods.
And if they put a tax on arrogance, some here would go broke....

[RecycleMichael]

If brains were taxed, I'd get a rebate.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Excellent program. Wish the fed gov would raise taxes on tobacco products as well. We need keep pushing for the extra tax revenue to be wisely used for medical and educational purposes. Our state has some of the highest rates of smoking and worst health problems and life expectancy rates.

Your post was in jest, yes?  Where are all the education programs and treatment for smokers the state promised under their new tobacco tax which went into effect 2 1/2 years ago?

If you think the state has a hard time managing money as promised, don't even begin to think the Feds would do a better job.

There already was a Federal tax assessed.  Remember the tobacco settlements with big tobacco?

[AMP]

Do higher taxes, be in on a single product or overall cut back on total sales?  

Did the recent moratorium on sales tax for shoes and clothing prove that reduction in taxes increase spending?  

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Excellent program. Wish the fed gov would raise taxes on tobacco products as well. We need keep pushing for the extra tax revenue to be wisely used for medical and educational purposes. Our state has some of the highest rates of smoking and worst health problems and life expectancy rates.

Your post was in jest, yes?  Where are all the education programs and treatment for smokers the state promised under their new tobacco tax which went into effect 2 1/2 years ago?

If you think the state has a hard time managing money as promised, don't even begin to think the Feds would do a better job.

There already was a Federal tax assessed.  Remember the tobacco settlements with big tobacco?

I only mentioned the fed because the tobacco tax was in the news. Would rather us raise it and use it. At least we have more hope that we can do something to make sure it is spent a litte better here.  The main importance to me is that I hear higher prices cause the number of young people who would start smoking to decline and can lessen the percentage of smokers over all. This alone will help our healthcare system in the long run. I think another tax should be placed on sodas as well. They arent a necessity and lead to poor health. I cant believe the number of people who dont drink them as the occasional "sinful treat", a couple times a month perhaps, like most peple used to. But who drink them almost daily like its water or something. Its horrid to see how common it is anymore.

[tulsascoot]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Excellent program. Wish the fed gov would raise taxes on tobacco products as well. We need keep pushing for the extra tax revenue to be wisely used for medical and educational purposes. Our state has some of the highest rates of smoking and worst health problems and life expectancy rates.

Your post was in jest, yes?  Where are all the education programs and treatment for smokers the state promised under their new tobacco tax which went into effect 2 1/2 years ago?

If you think the state has a hard time managing money as promised, don't even begin to think the Feds would do a better job.

There already was a Federal tax assessed.  Remember the tobacco settlements with big tobacco?

I only mentioned the fed because the tobacco tax was in the news. Would rather us raise it and use it. At least we have more hope that we can do something to make sure it is spent a litte better here.  The main importance to me is that I hear higher prices cause the number of young people who would start smoking to decline and can lessen the percentage of smokers over all. This alone will help our healthcare system in the long run. I think another tax should be placed on sodas as well. They arent a necessity and lead to poor health. I cant believe the number of people who dont drink them as the occasional "sinful treat", a couple times a month perhaps, like most peple used to. But who drink them almost daily like its water or something. Its horrid to see how common it is anymore.

In that same method of thinking, I think we should raise the gas tax to get people to buy smaller cars.

People have been brainwashed to think that the only thing that will be able to fulfill a family's needs is a Ford expedition. It's simply not true, and if all of the cars on the road were smaller, it would be safer for those of us who already care about our wasteful energy usage and drive a small car.

Be careful what you wish for.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Excellent program. Wish the fed gov would raise taxes on tobacco products as well. We need keep pushing for the extra tax revenue to be wisely used for medical and educational purposes. Our state has some of the highest rates of smoking and worst health problems and life expectancy rates.

Your post was in jest, yes?  Where are all the education programs and treatment for smokers the state promised under their new tobacco tax which went into effect 2 1/2 years ago?

If you think the state has a hard time managing money as promised, don't even begin to think the Feds would do a better job.

There already was a Federal tax assessed.  Remember the tobacco settlements with big tobacco?

I only mentioned the fed because the tobacco tax was in the news. Would rather us raise it and use it. At least we have more hope that we can do something to make sure it is spent a litte better here.  The main importance to me is that I hear higher prices cause the number of young people who would start smoking to decline and can lessen the percentage of smokers over all. This alone will help our healthcare system in the long run. I think another tax should be placed on sodas as well. They arent a necessity and lead to poor health. I cant believe the number of people who dont drink them as the occasional "sinful treat", a couple times a month perhaps, like most peple used to. But who drink them almost daily like its water or something. Its horrid to see how common it is anymore.

Points well taken, and I do see a deterrent effect initially and can see it as keeping youngsters from starting up.  Yet, of all the people I knew who were going to quit smoking after the Jan. '05 tax increase, only a couple have actually made it that long.  I quit in Feb. '06 for good.  Of course, I've resumed my old nasty habit of dipping snuff (no I don't spit on your public sidewalks [] ).

"Stupid taxes" start out with a deterrent effect as the intention.  It's a shock to those who use whatever product all the sudden shoots up in price.  It's like $3.29 gasoline- it's a shock at first but then you get used to it and eventually it assimilates into your budget somehow and you don't really think of the added cost after awhile.  Especially if you are a nicotine addict.

I shudder to think of a government essentially controlling behavior of it's citizens via taxation.  That's scary, invasive stuff.  That is the strong arm of the government getting into people's lifestyles.  The government wanting to take over healthcare could make a lot of things we haven't thought of much more expensive.  As a means of behavior modification, I believe it sucks.

Where does it end?  Fast food tax?  Strip bar tax (because that leads to the erosion of the family and promotes drinking)? AIDS tax for people who engage in risky sexual behavior?

Okay I'm getting a bit far out there.  

As a side note, I should have read the original article cited from the git-go before my first snarky comments.  I'm glad to hear our state is actually doing what they said they would do with the collected tax dollars.  Though I find an expenditure cited in the article of $1.5mm spent to diagnose and treat over 10,000 women for cancer pretty suspect.