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	<title>Blisstree &#187; smoking tax</title>
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	<link>http://www.blisstree.com</link>
	<description>Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles</description>
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		<title>Feedback: New Tax on Smokers</title>
		<link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/feedback-new-tax-on-smokers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/feedback-new-tax-on-smokers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:55:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cherie Burbach</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Diseases & Conditions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[per pack]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[second hand smoke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smoking tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tobacco]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blisstree.com/?p=71679</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently I mentioned that a new tax had been accessed to smokers.  A per pack tax went from 39 cents to $1.01.  That&#8217;s per pack!  I asked if it was a fair tax.  I also wondered how many smokers would not quit as a result.  Here&#8217;s what some of you had to say.

Kathy said:
&#8220;Enough already! Seriously, doesn’t anyone out there see that there are more health problems associated with alcohol abuse than with smokers? Not to mention the pain and suffering caused by drunk drivers, drunken brawls and just plain stupidity. It’s time for us to [...]<p>Post from: <a href="http://www.blisstree.com">Blisstree</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.blisstree.com/articles/feedback-new-tax-on-smokers/">Feedback: New Tax on Smokers</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Recently I mentioned that a <a href="http://www.blisstree.com/articles/new-tax-for-smokers/">new tax</a> had been accessed to smokers.  A per pack tax went from 39 cents to $1.01.  That&#8217;s per pack!  I asked if it was a fair tax.  I also wondered how many smokers would not quit as a result.  Here&#8217;s what some of you had to say.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-71678" src="http://www.blisstree.com/files/2009/04/1151676_no_smoking.jpg" alt="1151676_no_smoking" width="300" height="295" /></p>
<p><strong>Kathy</strong> said:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Enough already! Seriously, doesn’t anyone out there see that there are more health problems associated with alcohol abuse than with smokers? Not to mention the pain and suffering caused by drunk drivers, drunken brawls and just plain stupidity. It’s time for us to realize where the bigger problems are and get that extra revenue by increasing taxes on alcohol.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Dorothy</strong>, in response to whether someone should quit, said:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;I say it’s for us to decide, not the government.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>As an aside, I don&#8217;t think the government is raising the tax to encourage people to quit.  I think they are doing it because smoking is a strong addiction and they know people will pay to have their cigarettes.  But at least one reader felt this tax might also help nonsmokers:</p>
<p><strong>Cherila </strong>said:</p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;When are people going to wake up smoking is bad for your health. and second hand smoke is worse. And so if the smokers are going to care about the people around them then the lawmakers have to do something to protect us. Why do non-smokers have to suffer because smokers decide to kill themselves. Get a grip and stop the madness.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>One thing is for sure, it&#8217;s a touchy subject.  <strong><em>What&#8217;s your opinion?</em></strong></p>
<p><em>Image: <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1151676">sxc.hu</a>.</em></p>
<p>Post from: <a href="http://www.blisstree.com">Blisstree</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.blisstree.com/articles/feedback-new-tax-on-smokers/">Feedback: New Tax on Smokers</a></p>
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		<title>New Tax for Smokers</title>
		<link>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/new-tax-for-smokers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.blisstree.com/articles/new-tax-for-smokers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:15:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cherie Burbach</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Diseases & Conditions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost of cigarettes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[incentive to quit smoking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smoking tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tobacco tax]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.blisstree.com/?p=70540</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you didn&#8217;t already have enough incentive to quit smoking (what with the increased risk of heart attack and lung cancer and all), the new tobacco tax (which takes effect on Wednesday) may just give you the extra motivation you need.  Per pack tax goes from 39 cents to $1.01.

Some smokers feel this is a good thing.  After all, smoking is a tough addiction to break and if something like raising the tax on smokes can motivate you (in this economy) to put the cigarettes down, that&#8217;s a positive thing, right?
On the other hand, some smokers feel that [...]<p>Post from: <a href="http://www.blisstree.com">Blisstree</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.blisstree.com/articles/new-tax-for-smokers/">New Tax for Smokers</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you didn&#8217;t already have enough incentive to <strong>quit smoking</strong> (what with the increased risk of heart attack and lung cancer and all), the <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gCWPSPlgZS5xB8jhFZnElg4JejBgD977LR9O2">new <strong>tobacco tax</strong></a> (which takes effect on Wednesday) may just give you the extra motivation you need.  Per pack tax goes from 39 cents to $1.01.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-70541" src="http://www.blisstree.com/files/2009/03/1021547_cigarette_butt.jpg" alt="1021547_cigarette_butt" width="274" height="300" /></p>
<p>Some smokers feel this is a good thing.  After all, smoking is a tough addiction to break and if something like raising the tax on smokes can motivate you (in this economy) to put the cigarettes down, that&#8217;s a positive thing, right?</p>
<p>On the other hand, some smokers feel that the tax is unfairly targeting them.</p>
<p><strong><br />
What do you believe?  If you&#8217;re currently a smoker, will you give it up once the new tax goes into effect?</strong></p>
<p><em>Image: <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1021547">sxc.hu</a>.</em></p>
<p>Post from: <a href="http://www.blisstree.com">Blisstree</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.blisstree.com/articles/new-tax-for-smokers/">New Tax for Smokers</a></p>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
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