Surgeon General: Even Just One Cigarette Can Kill You

[Danno 1,228]

What is the government thinking allowing its citizens access to accurate information of the real and proper dangers of various activities so one can make an informed decision as to whether to engage in them or not? Government should stick at what it does best, keeping information secret so only the ruling elite know anything.

Wouldn't you agree taxing a product 600 percent (and climbing) of what it might otherwise cost... is, in some way controlling whether people are free to use the product?

[SuperDuper! 230]

Sorry to burst your bubble Paul, but it is a proven fact that EVERY person that EVER smoked, even ONE cigarette...DIED! 100% so far.

I'm calling a Straw Man Informal Fallacy.

Yes everyone dies, but not everyone dies from Ciggy Butts, as The Gary is misleading people to believe, albeit he thinks its clever.

BOING!

[Peikko 1,575]

Wouldn't you agree taxing a product 600 percent (and climbing) of what it might otherwise cost... is, in some way controlling whether people are free to use the product?

Not really, no. Smoking isn't a right as I am sure you agree. it's only punitive if you have to buy them becuase of addiction, and you need to buy several packets a day - and in that instance you become a burden upon us non smokers in every conceivable way.

I don't have a problem paying tax on alcohol either;. nor would I have a problem with paying a tax on sugar.

[Amby 490]

MC long time no see

Let's have your sex obsessed angle on this

Start with Bill Clinton's cigar ....

you really think she's sex obsessed because she wanted to know more about prostitution? maybe she was looking for a job!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Not really, no. Smoking isn't a right as I am sure you agree. it's only punitive if you have to buy them becuase of addiction, and you need to buy several packets a day - and in that instance you become a burden upon us non smokers in every conceivable way.

I don't have a problem paying tax on alcohol either;. nor would I have a problem with paying a tax on sugar.

and i'm sure you'll agree then that you have only the right to breathe that the government allows you to have...

[Peikko 1,575]

and i'm sure you'll agree then that you have only the right to breathe that the government allows you to have...

Why would I agree to something that nonsensical? It might even be possible to make a case that the government HAS to provide healthy air for all as breathing is essential to life.

[Danno 1,228]

Not really, no. Smoking isn't a right as I am sure you agree. it's only punitive if you have to buy them becuase of addiction, and you need to buy several packets a day - and in that instance you become a burden upon us non smokers in every conceivable way.

I don't have a problem paying tax on alcohol either;. nor would I have a problem with paying a tax on sugar.

But we are not talking about taxing Smokes ... like we do sugar, we are talking about targeting a product with explosive tax rates.... to control peoples freedom of Choice.

And here I thought you were pro-choice.

Oh thats right.... you're only Pro-choice when we are talking about removing unborn babies from the womb.... piece by piece.

Edited December 14, 2010 by Danno

[Peikko 1,575]

But we are not talking about taxing Smokes ... like we do sugar, we are talking about targeting a product with explosive tax rates.... to control peoples freedom of Choice.

And here I thought you were pro-choice.

Oh thats right.... you're only Pro-choice when we are talking about removing unborn babies from the womb.... piece by piece.

We are talking about taxing cigarettes period. The fact that it is taxed at a high rate is related to the cost to society that smoking causes. People still have the freedom to choose to smoke, they just have to pay a price to enjoy that freedom.

The rest of your post is deliberately offensive and serves no useful purpose at all - you don't know what my stance is on lots of issues, but you think you do because you have labeled me and put me in the Liberal box. More fool you.

[Danno 1,228]

We are talking about taxing cigarettes period. The fact that it is taxed at a high rate is related to the cost to society that smoking causes. People still have the freedom to choose to smoke, they just have to pay a price to enjoy that freedom.

I'm certainly not surprised you are all for excessive taxing of tobacco, Soft drinks, V-8 motors, fast food, Chain saws, or anything else the Government decides to keep us safe from.

I think there are ways to do some of this but the TAX Code should not be one.

[Peikko 1,575]

I'm certainly not surprised you are all for excessive taxing of tobacco, Soft drinks, V-8 motors, fast food, Chain saws, or anything else the Government decides to keep us safe from.

I think there are ways to do some of this but the TAX Code should not be one.

Nice made up list there Danno. The only things you know I have no problem with taxation on are tobacco, sugar and alcohol.

What other ways could there be to do some of this stuff (whatever you mean by that statement) and why on earth can't we use tax which is cost efficient?

[Danno 1,228]

Nice made up list there Danno. The only things you know I have no problem with taxation on are tobacco, sugar and alcohol.

What other ways could there be to do some of this stuff (whatever you mean by that statement) and why on earth can't we use tax which is cost efficient?

If something is dangerous enough it should be banned or the State should require a permit or special regulation.

The problem is; you are using the Tax code as a punitive mechanism..... which is not only wrong but devious.

[Peikko 1,575]

If something is dangerous enough it should be banned or the State should require a permit or special regulation.

The problem is; you are using the Tax code as a punitive mechanism..... which is not only wrong but devious.

How is it either wrong or devious?

Prohibition of cigarettes? Yeah, that would work. Tax is cost efficient and easy to implement, permits and special regulations? Not so much.

How exactly is a tax on cigarettes devious? Are you suggesting no one knows about it?