Virginia Set to Increase Tobacco Tax on April 1
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: News
"Now that we're accepting another additional increase in April, I would like to say we will be the April fools," says Mo.
The biggest target hit is roll-your-own tobacco. A one-pound bag that now costs $16.99 on average will be $40 after April 1. This price increase has left customers upset. "I don't like it; it makes it harder to buy cigarettes, and I find myself looking for cheaper prices, said Ashley Tignor, a senior at Longwood. It is uncertain whether there will be an additional increase after April.
Buying cheaper brands isn't uncommon amongst tobacco customers lately. Customers are now looking for alternatives such as quitting or are switching over to cheaper brands. Angie, a store manager at Valero who requested her last name not be mentioned, said "Some people say they're just going to quit smoking. One lady came in here and even said she'll stop eating before she stops smoking." If quitting isn't an option for customers, switching over to a cheaper brand most certainly is one. This is true for Tignor: "Since the increase, I started smoking Camel Lights instead of Marlboro Lights because they're not as expensive."
Although one focus of this bill is to expand the SCHIP program, Charles D. Connor, president and CEO of the American Lung Association believes there is another goal in the bill, and that is to decrease the percentage of smokers. In a press release last month he said the new legislation is "a victory that will improve health, increase children's health care coverage and reduce smoking." He added, "Half of all smokers will die prematurely from their addiction, increasing the federal cigarette tax will go a long to save young lives and is also good for our economy."
Angie said she thinks it is unfair to increase tobacco taxes." They're targeting cigarette smokers instead of targeting everybody. I'm not a smoker, and it doesn't concern me personally, but I'm bothered by it because it appears their punishing smokers."
Tignor is choosing to look at positives of the new tax.. "I've always had the thought of quitting; this just adds another variable," she said.
The biggest target hit is roll-your-own tobacco. A one-pound bag that now costs $16.99 on average will be $40 after April 1. This price increase has left customers upset. "I don't like it; it makes it harder to buy cigarettes, and I find myself looking for cheaper prices, said Ashley Tignor, a senior at Longwood. It is uncertain whether there will be an additional increase after April.
Buying cheaper brands isn't uncommon amongst tobacco customers lately. Customers are now looking for alternatives such as quitting or are switching over to cheaper brands. Angie, a store manager at Valero who requested her last name not be mentioned, said "Some people say they're just going to quit smoking. One lady came in here and even said she'll stop eating before she stops smoking." If quitting isn't an option for customers, switching over to a cheaper brand most certainly is one. This is true for Tignor: "Since the increase, I started smoking Camel Lights instead of Marlboro Lights because they're not as expensive."
Although one focus of this bill is to expand the SCHIP program, Charles D. Connor, president and CEO of the American Lung Association believes there is another goal in the bill, and that is to decrease the percentage of smokers. In a press release last month he said the new legislation is "a victory that will improve health, increase children's health care coverage and reduce smoking." He added, "Half of all smokers will die prematurely from their addiction, increasing the federal cigarette tax will go a long to save young lives and is also good for our economy."
Angie said she thinks it is unfair to increase tobacco taxes." They're targeting cigarette smokers instead of targeting everybody. I'm not a smoker, and it doesn't concern me personally, but I'm bothered by it because it appears their punishing smokers."
Tignor is choosing to look at positives of the new tax.. "I've always had the thought of quitting; this just adds another variable," she said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
patsy quick
posted 3/27/09 @ 3:54 PM EST
I think that raising the price on cirgarettes is bull, people are losing their jobs, but every thing is going up gas. food, elec, phone, etc. there are a lot of people that had to take a pay cut to keep their jobs, but every time we turn around there is a price increase. (Continued…)
SmokeThis
posted 4/01/09 @ 5:18 PM EST
SMOKERS IN VIRGINIA SHOULD STOP CRYING AND FIGHT BACK. Smokers stop playing your State Lottery and use that money to support your cigarette habit.
Blake
posted 5/06/09 @ 2:16 PM EST
Well what if the government has failed it's fundamental role of listening to the people. it seems like smokers and some non-smokers were screaming for this legislation not to be passed, but still it passes. (Continued…)
lentynos
posted 4/08/10 @ 3:42 AM EST
Indeed an informative article.
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