Marci inspired me to post a funny clip.
So, here is one on how government is paying for S-CHIP (State children's health insurance program) w/ taxes from Cigs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_LutWBunb4
At least some good comes from people smoking.
I mean, not all smokers want to quit, so they might as well help out with children's supplemental health care.
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Wow, thats kind of funny. The even funnier part is that New York just raised their sin taxes so to buy a pack of cigarettes the government tax itself is over $1 itself providing over $265 million a year. It will be sad when taxing puts the tobacco companies out of business so they can no longer pay for this program. People may either become healthier or poorer because they either give it up or refuse to give it up. I wonder which way the pendulum will swing? :)
ReplyDeleteI agree it is funny, and I plan on passing it along. You should see the other clip this guy does on the same subject - also like it. Sin taxes are interesting, since there is so much sentiment against smoking you can see how this can happen. But what if congress came after your sin. My wife would be pretty outraged if there was a tax on chocolate. Are we too far away from that?
ReplyDeleteSmoking is stupid but if people want to kill themselves that way, fine let them do it. Just tax them to help pay for it. The only tax that should be placed on tobacco is to pay for all those that get smoking related diseases. Essentially creating a smoking insurance. Unfortunately congress is like a pavlovian dog that begins salivating at the very thought of a new way to get money. Maybe we need a tax on them.
I agree w/ you Jim. Same w/ gambling and alcohol. The taxes should go to prevention and treatment programs.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments, class. Katie--rates of smoking are much higher in Europe and many other countries around the world than here in the states. The tobacco companies can do OK even without U.S. smokers. Canada pays for its health care program primarily from "sin" taxes.
ReplyDeleteBe advised, though, that those who favor legalization of drugs like marijuana make similar arguments to some of yours. If the weed was legal, the government could regulate and tax it, just as it does tobacco and alcohol. We need more revenue--- Should we add it to the list?