Governor's Proposed Tennessee Cigarette Tax Hike

Why can't this guy raise taxes on something else every now and then? I see where they're trying to ban public smoking, yet they want to abuse
the tobacco users by taxing them to death? What's this personal vendetta when there are SO many more issues at hand? We're gonna raise taxes on your cigarettes.. and oh, by the way, you can't smoke in a bar... or a restaurant. Soon, will it be "you can't smoke in your own backyard" ?? Why are we keeping our mouths shut and not saying anything about any of this? Soon it may be "sorry, but you can't smoke in your own backyard... cause your neighbor -- who lives a mile away -- gets sick from your smoke... but keep on buyin''em cause we're making a fortune off you."

I guess we all should start recruiting smokers. It's everyone's responsibility to make sure Tennesee children are educated. You care about the children don't you? If so, start smoking!!

I think it's about time smoker's had to pay for something. We have 4th lowest tax rate in the nation on cigarettes and some of the highest health insurance rates. I am tired of paying higher insurance rates for other people's bad habits. Go Gov. Bredesen,,, you rock.

airforce 1 wrote:

I think it's about time smoker's had to pay for something. We have 4th lowest tax rate in the nation on cigarettes and some of the highest health insurance rates. I am tired of paying higher insurance rates for other people's bad habits. Go Gov. Bredesen,,, you rock.

Obesity is the #1 factor increasing health insurance in the US. Tax McDonalds instead.

airforce 1 wrote:

I think it's about time smoker's had to pay for something. We have 4th lowest tax rate in the nation on cigarettes and some of the highest health insurance rates. I am tired of paying higher insurance rates for other people's bad habits. Go Gov. Bredesen,,, you rock.

It is not all the smokers fault that health insurance is high,U.S. is the most overbeast in the world so why not put the tax on foods that are high in fat like potato chips,soda's,and other junk food that people don't need and see how that goes over you can say what you want to about smoking and it may not be to good for your health but there is alot out there that is not good for people's health so if you are going to tax one then why not the other.As far as I can see it taxes are high enough on tobaco now.You also say way to go GOV. well I bet you did not like it when he was talking about raising the gas tax did you with gas as high as it is now.Looks to me like you need to think when you speak.

I love the out of state comments. Tennessee already has one of the highest taxes in the nation on high fat foods like potato chips and McDonalds - and is the 4th lowest in taxes on tobaco. Maybe it's time that smokers start paying the same as everyone else.

Why can't the taxes be raised for the sale of alcohol. More people drink alcohol. Maybe it's time the drinkers start paying more. If you are thinking of higher tax as punishment for something that isn't good for I would say alcohol. I am not sure of statistics but I would say drunk drivers are more dangerous. The bottom line is we live in AMERICA and the FREEDOM is what we enjoy regardless of whether or not we like what the other guy is doing.

airforce 1 wrote:

I think it's about time smoker's had to pay for something. We have 4th lowest tax rate in the nation on cigarettes and some of the highest health insurance rates. I am tired of paying higher insurance rates for other people's bad habits. Go Gov. Bredesen,,, you rock.

I'm curious. Do you know how much extra healthcare a smoker (on a yearly basis) requires? Probably not and you're blowing hot anti-smoking air.

The REAL reason behind health insurance rates isn't the smoker... it the fatties. I kid you not, your average tubby requires $5 of extra health care for a $1 extra a smoker requires, and lets face it, these days there's a lot more fat people than smokers (of course, there's a lot of overlap as well).

So, if you're carrying a few extra pounds you don't get to point your finger at smokers and complain about health costs.