Retailers' tobacco fees rise

Tobacco retailers have another government fee to absorb beginning in January. Retailers who sell cigarettes and tobacco products will see their application fee, paid to the state Department of Taxation and Finance, increase from at least tenfold to more than 50 times the current level.

[vig]

gotta luv NY state?

[good gravy]

I agree. It's time NY starts throwing outrageous taxes on oh lets say booze. Smokers are fully well aware of what they are doing to their bodies. It is my CHOICE. I do not smoke in my house, even at 20 below, I go outside. I do not throw my cig. butts on the groud where ever I am. I do not smoke around people who do not smoke. For Gods sake, it's not like cigs are an illegal drug!(though it appears to be heading that way) Can anyone say "prohibition"? LEAVE THE SMOKERS ALONE NY, PICK ON SOME ONE ELSE!!

[mammashine]

so quit, or pay the price. <shrugs>
It's not like they are a necessity.

[ohmygod]

Just a excuse to get more money out of you're pockets to put in theres.

[Hoofa King]

ohmygod wrote:

Just a excuse to get more money out of you're pockets to put in theres.

Your not you're, you're = you are
Their's not theres

And for the record, Hofa King Cares!

[good gravy]

mammashine wrote:

so quit, or pay the price. <shrugs>
It's not like they are a necessity.

I completely understand that they are not a NECESSITY my point was neither is booze but the government is not attacking those who chose to drink (as harshly) as those who chose to smoke. If the government wants to crack down on people for leading an unhealthy lifestyle, make it fair and tax the hell out of Twinkies and Budwiser, not just cigs.

[sam]

good gravy wrote:

<quoted text>
I completely understand that they are not a NECESSITY my point was neither is booze but the government is not attacking those who chose to drink (as harshly) as those who chose to smoke. If the government wants to crack down on people for leading an unhealthy lifestyle, make it fair and tax the hell out of Twinkies and Budwiser, not just cigs.

cry me a river

[Hoofa King]

good gravy wrote:

<quoted text>
I completely understand that they are not a NECESSITY my point was neither is booze but the government is not attacking those who chose to drink (as harshly) as those who chose to smoke. If the government wants to crack down on people for leading an unhealthy lifestyle, make it fair and tax the hell out of Twinkies and Budwiser, not just cigs.

Obviously you have no clue how much tax you pay on a bottle of beer, wine or liquor.
There's a reason why a bottle of Jack Daniels is 30 bucks a liter, and it ain't cause it's worth it.

And if you watched the news, or read the newspapers at all you'd be aware that the state is looking into imposing an obesity tax on non food beverages.

Hoofa King really cares that you think smokers are bing singled out.

[nice lady]

I too am a smoker who has tried to quit numerous times, especially because of the rising cost. But it is an addiction that is hard to overcome. This new License fee is going to hurt small business people like smoke shops who are just trying to make a living, just like the man who owns the liquor store. The license fee will close many of these stores down. That is what NY State is doing and by this more people will become unemployed and more people will be forced to go outside the state to purchase cigarettes. It's a shame, that in the south cigarettes are 1/3 the price of NY. Ny state cannot live on taxes they keep raising. And when many people cannot afford them but are still smoking, it will lead to more shoplifting and smuggling smokes into the state. NY State is taxing everybody to death. Let's face it, what tax will be added next. Even President Obama smokes, but I'm sure he doesn't pay what New Yorkers pay for smokes.