Quote:
Originally Posted by Mattyk72
The connection between the two is still a bit of a stretch. Nobody needs cigarettes, if you tax the shit out of them it's not going to negatively impact the economy, where if you double the price of gas it will definitely hurt the economy.
Sure, reducing the number of cars on the road will positively impact the environment, but it's not realistic. Alternative fuels and increasing fuel efficiency is the most realistic solution.
As for smokers, F 'em. If they're dumb enough to dig themselves an early grave then I have no pity for them no matter how high the prices of cigarettes go.
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My problem with over taxing cigs is from the principled view point. Every time someone in the state legislators wants to raise funds taxing cigs is in the forefront instead improving the overall tax code. I'd like to see how people would really react if the tax rate of alcohol was synchronized with that of cigs.
I remember a while ago we had a lot of people complaining about the increase auto offenses in VA. It's not tax but you can bet your ass the intent of the increase is to fleece people.