Smokers to pay for public health insurance in Maryland?

[bcp]

http://www.healthcareforall.com/HTML1.phtml#

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would increase the state’s tobacco tax by $1 per pack to reduce teen smoking and expand health care access

Does anyone else think that it is unfair to ask only the smokers to pay for socialist programs run by the state?
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Regardless of what is spent by Maryland business, Lewin estimates that about 92% of the costs for businesses will be passed on to employees in the form of lower wages. The cost to families noted below includes such wage effects.

So, Im going to be getting lower wages to pay for the health care? why not just leave my wages where they are and let me buy my own?
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T

he Lewin Group estimates that the average family will spend $391 more per year under our plan.

so, Now Im going to pay an additional dollar per pack, plus watch my wages go down, and pay 391 a year more to insure that the lazy have health insurance.


well this all sounds like a great idea to me, how about you?

 

[vraiblonde]

I think we should all quit smoking. Right now. Then let's see how they'll come up with the money for their little Socialist programs.

 

[Club'nBabySeals]

I swear, sometimes I think our generation could use a new McCarthy...

 

[bcp]

I think we should all quit smoking. Right now. Then let's see how they'll come up with the money for their little Socialist programs.

The tax on a pack is alread 1.00 per pack, that was implemented in 2002, up from .66 cent.

I wonder what would happen if everyone were to quit, and the state lose that current tax.

be some crying in the wheaties come morning wouldnt there?

 

[pearlie369]

If they raise it again, Im moving out of state, and I will be taking my tobacco and state tax money with me.
I agree with everyone here. The government says smoking is such a bad thing (and it is health wise) but look at all the things they want to spend our money on. If it weren't for tobacco then this state and probably this entire country would be considered a 3rd world. Tabacco made us what we are, and the health freaks that want to live to 300 years old have forgotten this and are trying to force us all to become, 'one of them'.

 

[Ken King]

If they raise it again, Im moving out of state, and I will be taking my tobacco and state tax money with me.
I agree with everyone here. The government says smoking is such a bad thing (and it is health wise) but look at all the things they want to spend our money on. If it weren't for tobacco then this state and probably this entire country would be considered a 3rd world. Tabacco made us what we are, and the health freaks that want to live to 300 years old have forgotten this and are trying to force us all to become, 'one of them'.

Why move out of state? Buy them in Virginia.

 

[vraiblonde]

Why move out of state? Buy them in Virginia.

Considering the VA state line is about 15 minutes from my house, I may just do that.

 

[huntr1]

Why move out of state? Buy them in Virginia.

Just make sure you only buy 2 packs at a time. Any more than that, and you are smuggling.
If I remember the article I read some time ago correctly, MD residents may have 2 packs of smokes purchased in another state in their possession in MD without consequence, and people from out of state transiting thru MD may only have 1 carton. I may be wrong on the terms and amounts, but I don't believe I am.

 

[Speedy70]

Why move out of state? Buy them in Virginia.

Isn't that illegal?

 

[Speedy70]

Just make sure you only buy 2 packs at a time. Any more than that, and you are smuggling.
If I remember the article I read some time ago correctly, MD residents may have 2 packs of smokes purchased in another state in their possession in MD without consequence, and people from out of state transiting thru MD may only have 1 carton. I may be wrong on the terms and amounts, but I don't believe I am.

Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't know about the two pack limit.

 

[willie]

Stop crying and pay the money. Maryland needs the money to restore the historic tobacco barns.

 

[Somdmommy]

Opps I guess I better stop having the inlaws bring us cartons from Nc when they come huh?

 

[dck4shrt]

made us what we are, and the health freaks that want to live to 300 years old have forgotten this and are trying to force us all to become, 'one of them'.

We don't care if you become 'one of us', we just don't want to pay for the medical treatment for a slow, painful death that is a 60% probability for those that choose to smoke.

 

[pixiegirl]

Just make sure you only buy 2 packs at a time. Any more than that, and you are smuggling.
If I remember the article I read some time ago correctly, MD residents may have 2 packs of smokes purchased in another state in their possession in MD without consequence, and people from out of state transiting thru MD may only have 1 carton. I may be wrong on the terms and amounts, but I don't believe I am.

2 carton limit not 2 pack is what I always heard. If it were a 2 pack limit I'd think state cops would be plucking people off left and right as they came across the nice bridge.

Ken King?

 

[Somdmommy]

"$1 per pack to reduce teen smoking"

What is that really going to do, I remember being a teen. I got my cigarettes with no problem. A friend wanted one from me, they paid for it. The price does not matter to those kids, they will get them!!!

 

[Somdmommy]

2 carton limit not 2 pack is what I always heard. If it were a 2 pack limit I'd think state cops would be plucking people off left and right as they came across the nice bridge.

Ken King?

That sounds right to me. I know alot of people that go over there for gas and cigarettes once a week!!! Like clock work!

 

[mAlice]

I think sugar and chocolate should be heavily taxed.

 

[Somdmommy]

I think sugar and chocolate should be heavily taxed.

Would help cut down the morbid obesity in the country!!!!

I'm more worried about that than people smoking!!!

 

[vraiblonde]

We don't care if you become 'one of us', we just don't want to pay for the medical treatment for a slow, painful death that is a 60% probability for those that choose to smoke.

And I don't want to pay for the medical treatment for a slow, painful death that is a 100% probability for those that choose to sit on their butts and eat snack cakes and french fries.

This could become a moot point if everyone were responsible for their own health care instead of trying to Socialize it.

She shoots! She scores!

 

[mAlice]

And I don't want to pay for the medical treatment for a slow, painful death that is a 100% probability for those that choose to sit on their butts and eat snack cakes and french fries.

This could become a moot point if everyone were responsible for their own health care instead of trying to Socialize it.

She shoots! She scores!

Thank you. bunch o freakin' nazi's.