Smokers - Should we issue a class action suit...?

Hell yeah! I was just talking/debating about this with someone at work today. Why are we paying the majority of the sales taxes that the gov't needs to cover its massive spending? Preaching about the health benefits of quitting doesn't do anything. We know the risks. We have made a choice.

Eating McD's regularly causes weight gain, leading to obesity, leading to heart problems, leading to death. Eating candy or junk food causes dental problems and health problems in general. Drinking leads to irresponsible decision making and causes deaths every year due to drunk driving. Not to mention liver and kidney disease and killing brain cells.

I asked a question earlier about what they will do when the masses DO decide to quit because its too expensive. Who/what will they tax then? One person said the drop in healthcare costs would balance it out. Thats crap! Its funny because I can imagine a lot more overweight people joining the population because they quit smoking and started eating more. Not funny ha ha but ironic kind of funny.

I have been saying that smokers are being discriminated for a couple of years now. Workplaces charging add'l $$$/mo for being a smoker and even doing nicotine testing each year, health insurance rates being increased if you are a smoker, and of course the extra taxes we pay.

Lets do it! I'll sign a petition and jump in. I don't think we would ever win or have a chance in hell but its a statement I'm willing to make. Its the fact that maybe our voice would be heard.

And to the reject that said the top 5% are the majority of smokers...you're an idiot. The most recent studies/counts show that 75% of smokers are actually middle and lower class. So, what that means is those that weren't supposed to see ANY increase in taxes are actually getting hit with the highest increase of all.

I couldn't agree with you more. As a smoker, I've seen cigarette prices increase at a higher percentage/rate over the past few years than any other consumable I purchase... gas included. I don't have a problem with paying my fair share in taxes, and do understand the motive for taxing tobacco products. But, when is it going to be enough? I can't help but wonder what they're going to hit next when revenues from tobacco products actually go down. This latest hike has already prompted a few people I know to quit, and I'm sure more will follow. My state was already taxing tobacco products and alcohol at a ridiculous rate and the new federal hike is making folks do a double take. I've no doubt that the revenues will decrease considerably as people quit. I'd like to know when the fatties are going to be taxed. At this point, obesity related diseases and illnesses account for more of a strain on the health care system than smokers do. Why isn't anyone hacked off at them?

I have been through this before, at Bank of America. I'll explain what they do and why this happened. I was forced to pay $580.00 for the same reason. The banks process the largest transactions first, which causes the over draft, and from there they process the smaller charges and apply overdraft fees to those. Its not right, and if you have had prior good terms with them they may waive these fees. But if you have a history of overdrafts they are unlikely to hear you out. Your best bet is to go to the bank that you normally do business at, and find a representative that knows you or the supervisor and explain how you feel and the dates and times you swiped the smaller transactions. The other thing to consider is when the "merchants" processed the transactions, some smaller businesses take a few days.

I don't smoke enough to motivate me to take action. I average about 2 cigarettes per day. The increased cigarette tax doesn't concern me as much since it's an every other week expense for me. It makes pot look that much cheaper, though. I wonder what will happen to drug demand when an eighth of an ounce of marijuana costs less than a pack of cigarettes. I'll put up with the extra anxiety during work (i.e. not smoking tobacco) if it means I can get a lot more mellow afterwards.

Absolutely, yes, it's time for a class-action lawsuit. Let's start with the the fact that tyranny is, by definition, taxation without representation. If this latest hike in fact benefits nation-wide sCHIPs programs, and I have no children who would benefit from these programs, how are my tax dollars representing me? And where are the stiff taxes on those items, as you say, that are as lethal if not more so? Firearms? Alcohol? Stiffer taxes on large, gas-guzzling vehicles?

It's time to revolt, sheeple!

First, class action isn't going to do anything except make the same lawyers that sued the tobacco companies rich. Second, we are not allowed to sue the federal government for some reason. Third, just because they went crazy with cigarettes doesn't mean we should support raising every sin tax through the roof. That's exactly what they want you to say. Who wins if they do that? The government because they are taxing more people.

a class action suit will only do one thing -- make lawyers richer.

switch to roll your own, cheaper in the long run and remember two things

1) all the money given to the states in the tobacco settlement were misused by the states in balancing their budgets, instead of smoking secession programs like it was supposed to, typical government bull

and

2)no matter how much they tax tobacco, they will always give billions to tobacco farmers in subsidies to grow it.

really makes you appreciate the absurdity of the government doesn't it?

I think it's fair game. Alcohol will get it tax increase soon too. I don't know how long I can pay over 6 bucks for cigs but in the mean time, i'll just look at it as i am doing my part to help get the economy back up and running. That is why they raised the price in the 1st place, as that will be the reason for many price increases soon to come.

I know the dangers of smoking. I know I need to quit, yet I continue to try unsuccessfully. I don't mind having to pay a little more for cigarettes, but yesterday I bought a pack at the grocery store and it was $6.25. Two weeks ago, I bought a pack for $4.50! I find this heavy tax extreme and I do agree that if cigarettes are taxed so heavily, so should all other unhealthy "choices".

Angry Donald! LMAO! That is funny! I love Donald Duck!

Anyways, I do agree with ya. I wouldn't know where to start though. True is it a law that was voted for, but taxing fast food wouldn't be a bad idea either! Good point!