It Finally Happened

[NeverBend]

My friend is a reporter who covers the Florida State Legislature in Tallahassee and he emailed me part of his story. :( :(

April 1, 2015
Tallahassee

Speaker of the house Steve Crisafulli commented that the house voted 85-31 (4 abstained) to pass the tax increase on non-cigarette tobacco products from the current 85% to 220% and that the bill should pass the senate with minimal opposition.

The current rate of 85% was already one of the highest in the nation but Crisafulli feels that the legislation could be a template for other states.

The bill was included in adjunct legislation to the state budget that also passed today. The legislative package was jointly sponsored by representatives Sharon Pritchett (Broward), Ray Lake (Duval), Amanda Murphy (Pasco) and Mike Miller (Orange) and its language ties all smoking together so that it is now effectively illegal to use tobacco products anywhere in public in the state of Florida.

Stock up folks.

[LandonColby]

Why can't these pricks just piss off and worry about themselves.
...I honestly don't have anything good to say. I'm thoroughly disappointed.

[LandonColby]

Can you link to the full copy?

[Emperor Zurg]

That right there is why I've been buying what I've been buying. Not that I smoke like a fiend or intend to start, but I'm not paying some bastard politicians a 220% tax for any reason. At least it's only Florida right now but I'm sure this thinking will spread like a cancer to other states. I'm surprised the Fed hasn't pulled something like this yet.

Check this out: this is only about cigarettes but note who it's from, tobacco-free kids. Can someone explain to me how screwing adults equates to tobacco free KIDS?

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0097.pdf

[UncleFesterESQ]

Waiting to comment until I see the full article. While Florida currently has an 85% on all non-cigarette tobacco, it has a 0% tax on cigars. I wonder if this bill will change that?

Here is a pdf link to all states current tobacco taxes:
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0169.pdf


EDIT: DAMN you Emperor Zurg for beating me to the link punch!!!

EDIT 2: NM... my link has all tobacco rates, not just cigarettes.

[NeverBend]

Can you link to the full copy?

Hi Landon,

This is all that I have. l think that it's part of his copy that I suppose will hot the news service when he submits it.

[Emperor Zurg]

Waiting to comment until I see the full article. While Florida currently has an 85% on all non-cigarette tobacco, it has a 0% tax on cigars. I wonder if this bill will change that?

Here is a pdf link to all states current tobacco taxes:
http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0169.pdf

EDIT: DAMN you Emperor Zurg for beating me to the link punch!!!
I am light years ahead of you!!! LOL! :D


It is important to raise tax rates on all tobacco products to prevent initiation with or switching to lower-taxed and lower-priced
tobacco products.... WHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
(Bawling sound: Mine)

Maybe someone ought to tell these pricks that IT'S ILLEGAL FOR KIDS TO SMOKE. PERIOD!!
But somehow, I doubt they'd care...

[BryGuySC]

Waiting for Tobias to chime in with an "I told ya so."

[Tobias Lutz]

Waiting for Tobias to chime in with an "I told ya so."

I've got too much class for that ;)

[LandonColby]

Gentlemen... hear me out.

This is how it's gonna work. We all band together, we all take out the highest loans permitted to us, buyout the entire tobacco Industry for joint ownership and keep it up and running solely for ourselves. We sell only enough tobacco to keep the operation running at no cost to us...SO

When do we start :)

[Emperor Zurg]

We sell only enough tobacco to keep the operation running at no cost to us...

And we sell that to KIDS, amirite?
:p

[OnePyroTec]

My friend is a reporter who covers the Florida State Legislature in Tallahassee and he emailed me part of his story. :( :(

April 1, 2015
Tallahassee

Speaker of the house Steve Crisafulli commented that the house voted 85-31 (4 abstained) to pass the tax increase on non-cigarette tobacco products from the current 85% to 220% and that the bill should pass the senate with minimal opposition.

The current rate of 85% was already one of the highest in the nation but Crisafulli feels that the legislation could be a template for other states.

The bill was included in adjunct legislation to the state budget that also passed today. The legislative package was jointly sponsored by representatives Sharon Pritchett (Broward), Ray Lake (Duval), Amanda Murphy (Pasco) and Mike Miller (Orange) and its language ties all smoking together so that it is now effectively illegal to use tobacco products anywhere in public in the state of Florida.

Stock up folks.


My question is who will be left on the hook for the budget when it fails? It looks great on paper to project how much $$$ they will take in based on sales & taxes collected the previous years, then raising it 2.5 times. In reality, they are forcing the closure of many businesses and loss of jobs so in turn the tax $$$ collected will drop so they won't have the budgeted money that they plan on spending.

[B daddy]

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.

[UncleFesterESQ]

...In reality, they are forcing the closure of many businesses and loss of jobs so in turn the tax $$$ collected will drop so they won't have the budgeted money that they plan on spending.

This to me seems like the biggest problem with the law. A complete lack of forward thinking.

[Zeede]

Wait, this isn't an April Fools joke?

[JustTroItIn]

Wait, this isn't an April Fools joke?

Unfortunately the joke's on us.

[projectsunfire]

so would this only apply if I bought them from a local b&m? If I bought from CI, then I assume I wouldn't have to pay the FL tax?

[cbr310]

Wow my state actually doesnt have a tax yet........ were usually the ass of the country.

[Horseshoe]

At my current smoking practices, I have enough to last a LONG time.

But I guess I will keep buying just in case.

[Bruck]

I was planning on directing some of my tax return toward my flagging stocks of certain calibers of ammo. Now I'm thinking bulk tobacco and Mason jars.

[Bruck]

Check this out: this is only about cigarettes but note who it's from, tobacco-free kids. Can someone explain to me how screwing adults equates to tobacco free KIDS?


Never has been about the kids, just the Benjamins. Unfortunately they've never heard of the Laffer Curve, not to mention the black market.

[NeverBend]

T'was posted on April 1st, after all. Said so right at the top.

Important topic and this could happen. Thanks to all the posters who did so with intelligence and passion and took me seriously. Next time it may be the real thing.

Pete

[Zeede]

T'was posted on April 1st, after all. Said so right at the top.

Important topic and this could happen. Thanks to all the posters who did so with intelligence and passion and took me seriously. Next time it may be the real thing.

Pete

Ah man, I am relieved!

Although, this is now the second interest I have that the lawmakers in my state hate (as well as the sheeple). Man, if only I could move to one of the states that welcome gun enthusiasts and BotLs.

[Emperor Zurg]

T'was posted on April 1st, after all. Said so right at the top.

Important topic and this could happen. Thanks to all the posters who did so with intelligence and passion and took me seriously. Next time it may be the real thing.

Pete

That's a relief. Trouble is, the Tobacco Free Kids links are real. Those clowns are using the excuse of 'kids' to try and force their hand, making adults tobacco free against their will. Been at it for years and they ain't joking one bit.

[Tgs679]

If alcohol was taxed like tobacco there would be riots in the streets.

[Tobias Lutz]

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzt4o1oQHs1qhbnbto1_500.jpg

[NeverBend]

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzt4o1oQHs1qhbnbto1_500.jpg

Bang! There was a time that this girl could have gotten my social and my passwords and have bled me dry inside of 60 seconds.

I feel much more secure having my TAD/PAD bleed me dry over a few years.

[Branzig]

If alcohol was taxed like tobacco there would be riots in the streets.

I would be organizing said riots if that were to happen :p

Take my baccy, I'll be mad. Take my craft brews and spirits, and there is no point to live anymore haha.

[LandonColby]

I would be organizing said riots if that were to happen :p

Take my baccy, I'll be mad. Take my craft brews and spirits, and there is no point to live anymore haha.

Amen. Cuz I can't grow whiskey in my backyard.

....though it does get produced in my house ;)

[NeverBend]

Amen. Cuz I can't grow whiskey in my backyard.

....though it does get produced in my house ;)


I told my wife that I wanted to grow Virginia tobacco in the backyard and she was all in with that idea. I don't think she knows what the plant looks like.

So you have a happy house I take it? :)

[LandonColby]

I told my wife that I wanted to grow Virginia tobacco in the backyard and she was all in with that idea. I don't think she knows what the plant looks like.

So you have a happy house I take it? :)

haha I think that tobacco plants look rather beautiful, in their own way. As smokers I think we might have a different sense of appreciation, though :).

Yes indeed! Maybe a little too happy at times, if you know what I mean.

[NeverBend]

haha I think that tobacco plants look rather beautiful, in their own way. As smokers I think we might have a different sense of appreciation, though :).

Yes indeed! Maybe a little too happy at times, if you know what I mean.

Landon,

She's thinking a few inches tall. I like the look of tobacco plants myself. With my luck I'd try some oriental variety and they'd revert to Virginia and get huge.

[Alligator Gar]

I can't see Florida instituting a tax on cigars. There is obviously a strong cigar lobby in this state and it is one of the last places I've found where cigar smoking is accepted. Tampa, Miami, Orlando and St. Augustine are all places you can light a cigar after dining al fresco and not get the stink eye.

[Jaybird]

WHAT A DICK! Baaaahhhhhhaaaaaa I fell for it man! LOVE THAT KIND OF 4/1 joke! You da' man!

Thank you my good man for the great read!

Cheers
Jay