Rob_k
If it ain't Scottish...it's crap!
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 3,352
Just received this:
"On 7/26/07, Sheldon Whitehouse <sheldon_whitehouse@whitehouse.senate.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Kerfoot:
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the federal excise tax on tobacco, and particularly the tax on cigars. I appreciate hearing from you.
There has been much misinformation circulating about the magnitude of the proposed excise tax increase on cigars. Currently, large cigars are taxed at a maximum rate of 5 cents per cigar, while small cigars are taxed at a maximum of 4 cents per pack of 20. The proposed increase, which would be used to finance healthcare coverage for uninsured children, would increase the tax on large cigars to about half of the manufacturer’s price, up to a maximum of $10, and set the tax on small cigars to $1 per pack, identical to the proposed tax for cigarettes. The Cigar Association of America estimates that the average tax on large premium cigars would rise to about $1.
There is a large body of scientific literature that suggests that increasing the cost of tobacco products discourages smoking to a powerful degree. I believe that we must take measures to discourage young people from beginning the dangerous habit of smoking and to encourage adult smokers to quit. To the extent such taxes help do that, it is reasonable to consider them. That being said, I will examine any proposed increases carefully, keeping your comments in mind.
Thanks again for contacting me about this important issue. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Sincerely,
Sheldon"
My reply, I borrowed some from Angryfish (thanks for your words bro):
Senator,
Thank you for your response, it is nice to see you are involved with the general voting public.
I am appalled and outraged at your blatant ignorance and lack of concern for the cigar smokers in our state. As a community we will not stand to be lumped into a flawed cigarette tax bill for healthcare. I personally feel you are discriminating against me, the casual cigar smoker. This proposed bill is a very noble and worthy cause, but the way the Senate and House are proposing to fund said bill is wrong and an outrage to the cigar smoking community. Why not add a few cents to the gasoline tax, a product that virtually all of us use, and not single out the casual cigar smoker? The bill would surely benefit from the broader tax base of gasoline users, rather than single out the cigar smoker.
In closing, I, and all of my fellow cigar smokers ask that you and your fellow Senators strongly reconsider how this bill is funded, and stop the discrimination of cigar smokers.
Regards,
Mr. Robert Kerfoot
Johnston, RI
Needless to say, I will be calling and emailing (again) my reps and senators this afternoon.
Fight the good fight BOTL's, this is worth fighting.
Rob
Johnston, RI
"On 7/26/07, Sheldon Whitehouse <sheldon_whitehouse@whitehouse.senate.gov> wrote:
Dear Mr. Kerfoot:
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the federal excise tax on tobacco, and particularly the tax on cigars. I appreciate hearing from you.
There has been much misinformation circulating about the magnitude of the proposed excise tax increase on cigars. Currently, large cigars are taxed at a maximum rate of 5 cents per cigar, while small cigars are taxed at a maximum of 4 cents per pack of 20. The proposed increase, which would be used to finance healthcare coverage for uninsured children, would increase the tax on large cigars to about half of the manufacturer’s price, up to a maximum of $10, and set the tax on small cigars to $1 per pack, identical to the proposed tax for cigarettes. The Cigar Association of America estimates that the average tax on large premium cigars would rise to about $1.
There is a large body of scientific literature that suggests that increasing the cost of tobacco products discourages smoking to a powerful degree. I believe that we must take measures to discourage young people from beginning the dangerous habit of smoking and to encourage adult smokers to quit. To the extent such taxes help do that, it is reasonable to consider them. That being said, I will examine any proposed increases carefully, keeping your comments in mind.
Thanks again for contacting me about this important issue. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Sincerely,
Sheldon"
My reply, I borrowed some from Angryfish (thanks for your words bro):
Senator,
Thank you for your response, it is nice to see you are involved with the general voting public.
I am appalled and outraged at your blatant ignorance and lack of concern for the cigar smokers in our state. As a community we will not stand to be lumped into a flawed cigarette tax bill for healthcare. I personally feel you are discriminating against me, the casual cigar smoker. This proposed bill is a very noble and worthy cause, but the way the Senate and House are proposing to fund said bill is wrong and an outrage to the cigar smoking community. Why not add a few cents to the gasoline tax, a product that virtually all of us use, and not single out the casual cigar smoker? The bill would surely benefit from the broader tax base of gasoline users, rather than single out the cigar smoker.
In closing, I, and all of my fellow cigar smokers ask that you and your fellow Senators strongly reconsider how this bill is funded, and stop the discrimination of cigar smokers.
Regards,
Mr. Robert Kerfoot
Johnston, RI
Needless to say, I will be calling and emailing (again) my reps and senators this afternoon.
Fight the good fight BOTL's, this is worth fighting.
Rob
Johnston, RI