If the cigar tax is enacted

[sack]

I believe President Bush will veto the legislation, but if by some chance it does get pushed through, what will the alternative to a big rise in taxes be? Off shore purchases? And how about the large companies like Altadis, will they leave the country and sell from outside the USA. What about the B&M, will they have a fire sale to get rid of stock so as to avoid a tax on stock in hand? Maybe the B&Ms will revert to ordering ontime as opposed to keeping stocks on hand. Lots of questions, i just don't have any answers, anyone in the know? ???

 

[LilBastage]

I don't know about any of the business aspects of it all, but I will never buy another cigar or tobacco product. I have enough to last me a few years. When I get through them, I'll be done. I won't try to circumvent the embargo as the consequences of being caught are too great for my comfort. I will also not pay the tax on tobacco any longer. I will exercise what little choice I have in the matter and not pay any more for someone else's healthcare with even more rapacious taxes on cigars.

I guess I'm stubborn that way, but that's my reply.

 

[Mrepp]

I will also not pay the tax on tobacco any longer. I will exercise what little choice I have in the matter and not pay any more for someone else's healthcare with even more rapacious taxes on cigars.

You know its interesting that one of the statements along with the bill is that higher taxes reduces smoking. So if that is achieved and 2/3rds the people quite then well, where the hell are they going to get there health care money from?

 

[Gonz]

From what I've read of the vote, it's beyond Bush's ability to veto since the vote was so lopsided in favor of this bill. Is that not the case?

 

[Devil Doc]

I don't know a lot about the cigar buisness, but I understand there's quite a markup. It seems to me, that if cigar manufactures want to stay in buisness, they'll absorb some of that tax and share the burden with the consumer.

Doc.

 

[LilBastage]

From what I've read of the vote, it's beyond Bush's ability to veto since the vote was so lopsided in favor of this bill. Is that not the case?

It's unclear at this point. The Senate would likely be able to overturn the veto, but the House is looking better as far as that goes. It would be a close vote either way, I think. Especially with elections coming up in a year or so. It's usually the stuff that happens in the year before elections that these assholes run on, so I think you'd be hard pressed to find very many "leaders" being comfortable with denying free healthcare to the little poor kids . I know Norm Coleman will NOT change his vote in the Senate. He would be crucified here and we'd end up with Al Franken in his seat. That may happen anyway. Got a spare room out there in Colorado?



Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

 

[grateful1]

From what I've read of the vote, it's beyond Bush's ability to veto since the vote was so lopsided in favor of this bill. Is that not the case?

Depends on the final bill.

The senate passed there's - the house passed there's...now the have to agree on one!

Since when did our elected officials get so much power....somethings not right.

Regardless of this issue, I will have a lot more scrutiny when I give out my vote - for anything!

 

[Boogs34]

From what I've read of the vote, it's beyond Bush's ability to veto since the vote was so lopsided in favor of this bill. Is that not the case?

Even after the Senate and House come to terms on the same bill - then vote that one through - the President can still veto - then it goes back and both Congress and the Senate have to override an identical bill with 2/3rds of them agreeing to override his veto.

Thanks to this bureaucracy - the tax will definitely be delayed and perhaps unable to override the veto (it's more likely the House won't be able to get the 2/3rds to override his veto). This assumes the President will veto it.

 

[moki]

If the tax is enacted, I will be very glad that I have enough cigars to last me for a very long time. New purchases will not be happening in the USA.

 

[Rob_k]

I don't know a lot about the cigar buisness, but I understand there's quite a markup. It seems to me, that if cigar manufactures want to stay in buisness, they'll absorb some of that tax and share the burden with the consumer.

Doc.

I agree Doc, would certainly be nice.

 

[sack]

From what I've read of the vote, it's beyond Bush's ability to veto since the vote was so lopsided in favor of this bill. Is that not the case?

Even after the Senate and House come to terms on the same bill - then vote that one through - the President can still veto - then it goes back and both Congress and the Senate have to override an identical bill with 2/3rds of them agreeing to override his veto.

Thanks to this bureaucracy - the tax will definitely be delayed and perhaps unable to override the veto (it's more likely the House won't be able to get the 2/3rds to override his veto). This assumes the President will veto it.

I've got to believe that Bush will veto the bill, it seems the only thing he has going for himself is his stand on no taxes.

 

[NullSmurf]

The dumbasses will have all but crushed the domestic LEGAL cigar industry. Unlike Moki, I'm only sittining on a few month's stash. I imagine that there will come an offshore NC industry. Nevertheless, I will most likely quit cigars.

That said, even with the lopsided Senate vote, the override battle will be very visible and may come out differently than predicted.

 

[tone-ny]

I'm moving to Rochester New York. I hear there are plenty cigars up there.

 

[interscape]

Even if it does happen I will not be applied immediately correct?

 

[BlindedByScience]

I've been putting a few boxes in the new cabinet anyway, so this is just another good reason to lay a few down for some rest time. Like I needed a reason..... :laugh:

B.B.S.

 

[Rodrigo de Jerez]

I do not think these guys will agree on anything for quite some time. I will make my best effort to support my stores rather than seeking the cheaper alternatives online, et cetera. After all, there is more to a cigar than the cigar itself. I've met a lot of good people through this hobby of mine.

-Mark

...but I believe exactly what tasman says will be the case for most owners...

 

[tasman]

The local B&M shop near us said he would have to file Business bankruptcy and take most of the cigars he has left home so he will have something to smoke! :angry:

 

[DePasta]

I have heard several store owners say they would close the doors the day this goes into effect.

How about the thought that the OFAC will increase it's efforts in order to keep the money spent on Cigars at home..........

 

[golfgar]

The Canadians tried a huge tax on cigarettes some years back and the smuggling was like the reverse of prohibition. They reduced the taxes after several years. I'm sure there will be many more candles offered for sale from offshore sites.

You'd think the kids in Congress would learn from killing the yacht industry with the luxury tax.

Did any of these people run with a platform that included such a silly thing as a $10.00 per stick tax or did they just make it up because they can. I already contacted both of my senators and got a response back from Claire. I would post it but I think I merely sent it to the trash as I cannot locate it anywhere. She was for the bill.

If we think taxes are high in Canada and the UK just wait around here for a while. I suppose stockpiling is all we can do at this point. I'd like to hear from retailers whether they think they can survive such a tax.

 

[tigger]

I'm torn. I like to support a couple of the B&M's in the state whenever I'm near them, mostly with singles purchases, because my staple smokes are seldom, if ever, available at the locals.

Even though I'm not a fan of CT shade wrappers, I'll buy a cigar so wrapped every once in a while to support (in a very small way) that bit of Southern New England agriculture.

But I don't see how I'd condone this insane tax by buying products that are subject to it.

It would be a quandry.

Fortunately, at the rate I smoke, I probably have a few years' worth of smokes on hand. When they're gone, I'll probably confine my purchases to overseas vendors. Though on the rare occasion that I'm in Hartford, I'll still hafta stop by JimD's, I think. Jim's a good guy.

***edited for my not putting words in the order right***