Comments on: Is the proposed new Massachusetts cigarette tax fair?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:22:31 +0000

I forgot to tell you that the “buy one, get one free” deals have been BANNED in Mass! All discounts have disapeared (except like $1 off 2 packs)

Philip Morris COOPERATED with the government in raising the federal tax $1 recently. They are completely AGAINST their own customers. Just look at their website. They support a bunch of tax increases, etc, that punish people who smoke their cigarettes.

It is ironic that you can buy a carton from RUSSISA for $15, isn’t it? In MA. it is $80.00
which is the free country?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:17:35 +0000

McDonalds is killing more Americans than tobacco. They even have a $1 double cheesburger and McChicken. They exclusively target kids with cartoon characters and even a playground, which has to be the most successful marketing campaign ever, and everybody’s kids get them to bring them to McDonalds!

That said, in MA. there is a $.06 tax per dollar for fast food. How much does a life of eating Big Macs and Whoppers cost the state?

When I have no money to eat, because it all went to a pack of smokes, I have to eat a couple McChicken’s.
I never ate McDonalds before the price of smokes went from 2 packs of Cammel Lights for $5.00 -just 6 months ago, to $8 for 1 pack and $16 for 2 packs now! So now I smoke 1-1/2 to 2 packs a day and eat 2 McChicken’s! If my health is the concern, then the state has failed miserably!
At least if the money went to giving out free or much lower cost nicotine patches then I would have a chance at quitting. Since I also suffer from severe pain every day from a major accident a few years back, I am NOT going to also suffer to quit smoking. It is my choice and not Duval Patrick’s! (who by the way is the worst governor ever, and also the most arrogant!)

By: over taxed

over taxed — Sun, 24 May 2009 11:21:53 +0000

How can the government (who we pay to sit in the state house) just decide to price gouge whatever they feel like? So what people cigarettes, big deal, just because they don't do it doesn't give them the right to do what they want. It is a clear case of discrimination against smokers. Notice the drunks didn't raise the alcohol tax. Nuff said?

By: ukrgdjklzb1234

ukrgdjklzb1234 — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:33:38 +0000

It is time to send a strong message to our local government and that message is, “you are fired”. Please join me in voting against the current govenor no matter who runs against him at the next election.

By: Denis

Denis — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:47:58 +0000

People will regularly make the fairly short trip to New Hampshire or Rhode Island to get cartons that are much less than in MA. $65 in MA vs. $45 in NH. While there, people will load up on gas and groceries-also at lower cost.

The MA Legislature in it’s infinite wisdom will see that tax revenues will have gone down-not up-because more people are buying cigs, gas, food, outside of the state. They will panic and find new ways to make up on the loss of taxes they themselves brought about. They will again raise taxes, and “fees”.

And the cycle begins all over again.

MA has easily the most stupid “representatives” in government.

By: panic

panic — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:10:17 +0000

“those that smoke may be powerless to quit”

I have a slightly different problem.
I cannot overcome my addiction to refusing to pay taxes that support other people’s vices.
And I just can’t stop – so smokers will have to pay my taxes.

“Bottom rail on top this time, master?”

By: wheresmy40

wheresmy40 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:43:08 +0000

“One justification for the tax is that cigarette smokers overly taxes the health care system” Well, as was written, if the increased revenue actually went to its intended purpose of getting smokers to quit instead of “back in the general tax revenues, as has happened in Massachusetts before”, it falls far short of justifying singling out one group for excessive taxation. Many smokers would give up eating before quitting which is not very healthy.

If health was truly the concern of these money-grabbing legislators, why aren’t fat and cholesterol-laden fast food burgers and fries taxed to the extent that our obese fellow Americans are disuaded from strapping on a feed bag. The fuel saved toting these overweight individuals through the friendly skies could balance most munincipal budgets.

Am I for taxing junk food that kills as readily as smoking? NO! I am for the freedom of choice. That law makers sell this “most regressive form of taxation” as a deterrent to free choice should insult every American.

….uh, Happy Independence Day??… Can I get that super-sized please?

By: stormbringer005

stormbringer005 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:56:46 +0000

Where were you when the New York tax kicked in, even steeper that Massachusetts? It’s singling out a specific vice. What’s fair about that?

By: The Gonzman

The Gonzman — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:43:52 +0000

People will find a way to buy Cigarettes tax free.

Like I do.

Nothing like taxing your way into a black market.