The Reflector

Hello Jarvis Dortch,

First, if the true sincere goal of the cigarette tax is to keep kids alive and lead to adult smokers to quit the habit, then why advocate just simply taxing cigarettes to generate revenue for the government of Mississippi versus outright banning the unhealthy substance in order to save even more lives and future health care costs. In other words if your goal is truly about the well being of people then banning the substance should be the primary goal of your organization rather than trying to obtain more or the equal amount of revenue for the state of Mississippi.

Second, I have no problems with concept of taxing just for the sake of raising revenue for government to operate, but I do have problems with taxing in the name of promoting healthy habits as if a taxing crusade to raise revenue will solve society's health ills. Like I commented on in Melissa Harper's opinion piece, it is unethical and an injustice to single out one health issue such as taxing smoking versus not taxing obesity. Furthermore, taxing in the name of a health crusade does not take into account the individual biology and environment of every citizen. Some citizens are born genetically predisposed to suffer ill from smoking or suffer from obesity. The famous comedian George Burns smoked cigars most of his life yet apparently lived without any ill effects into the senior years of his life, while the famous bubble boy couldn't risk being exposed to a germ. Like I pointed out in the first point, banning the substance is the proper course of action to enact sincere health legislation versus raising revenue in the name of a health crusade which does not affect all citizens equally due to choice, biology, and environment.

I have no problems with the tax scheme or with reducing taxes on groceries to spur the economy, but I do have a problem with taxing in the name of a health crusade.

Raising taxes on cigarettes onlu makes ppl spend more money its not going to make ppl stop smoking so thanks for taking more of my money you assholes.

Raising taxes on tobacco will never make people quit smoking. NEVER. That is something that people like you will never get through their thick skulls. People like you are so self righteous that you think you know whats best for everyone, and honestly, you are sadly mistaken. If they want to raise taxes on cigarettes then go for it, but call it what it is, don't hide behind your "Healthier Mississippi" bull. It would be a way to collect more money from people who are already hurting, increase government spending, and make for bigger government. But I'm sure your so full of liberal B.S. that your eyes are brown. I don't want to hear about health risks, last I checked, cigarettes are LEGAL and if your not the one polluting your body then what business is it of yours. Smoking gives some people just a little bit of happiness and bottom feeders like you come along and try to take it away from them. You make me sick. What it boils down to is that some people see a way to get someone else to pay their taxes for them (grocery tax). Why don't you get rid of grocery tax, file for food stamps, collect welfare, get on medicaid, and have the state pay your tuition. Isn't this a combination to make a liberal's wet dream come true?
PS - I DO NOT SMOKE. I just support the rights of citizens that people like you are trying to take from them.

I quit smoking over a year ago for my own reasons.
A friend of mine quit smoking last week. Why did she quit? The tax. So, those of you who say that people won't quit due to the tax being higher - I know of at least one person who did. I'm sure she's not alone.

Health related issues to this tax is bull... If you really wanted to help people - TAX ALCOHOL. When was the last time someone killed or injured someone due to smoking while driving? When was the last time a wife or child was abused because someone smoked a cigarette? When was the last time someone lost their job due to a cigarette? When was the last time someone shot someone because they had a cigarette? Wake up, its all a crock!!!!!

Everyone who says that increasing the price on cig. will not result in people quitting, you are delusional.

In NYC the price of one pack of cig. is $9.50

That will make a lot of people stop smoking. I would LOVE to see MS do the same. But we have to be careful. We raise the tax too high, and then it becomes economical to buy cigs. from another state and bring them in, and MS does not have the infrastructure to protect and enforce such tax violations.

I understand Mark O'Neils objections to raising the tax to offset healthcare costs, but that is just part of doing business. No different then inviting in casino's to help with education. In theory its a win/win, in practice, ergh.