WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 5912, To amend title 39, United States Code, to make cigarettes and certain other tobacco products nonmailable, and for other purposes

Comment by JRG (January 5, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

I am an American. I earn my money and I should have the right to purchase whatever legal goods I want. Isn't this a free market system? As a consumer, why would it be OK to purchase a certain good at a store but it be illegal to have it be delivered to me? Don't think of this as an anti-tobacco movement for a moment. What if the product were movie rentals? The government is telling me I have to go to the video store and rent a DVD but, services like Netflix are now illegal to use. Their justification for passing this just doesn't make any sense....

Comment by ghinfla (October 28, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Shutdown EBay,Amazon, Overstock and all the other web marketers. Why single out one product and what is next. I liked the GFY comment....

Comment by MELISSA (October 23, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

PHILLIP MORRIS HATES INDIANS...

Comment by Soteria (October 11, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

It is mostly the poor whom can not afford to buy cigarettes from an in state sourse. Another sin tax? A protection of our youth? We all partake of those things we can afford that give us pleasure, even at the expence of our heath. Why not just shut down the tobacco companies? Give the poor and our Native American brothers a break....

Comment by Annoyed (September 24, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

If this bill passes, I hope to see a revolt take place. The government has taken our smokes out of the bars, the parks, in some areas THE HOME, but now they want them out of the mail? But only for consumers, not retailers, right? UGH! They forget that the majority who smoke are low to middle income. Our government officials don't care because they can AFFORD it and most smokers can't afford to buy a bill to repeal the anti-tobacco titans. This is pathetic! What's happening to this country anyway!?!...

Comment by Deborah Simpkins (September 8, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am a legal smoker and well over the age of 18, 21, 35,40. As an American I grew up knowing that people died for my freedom. What is freedom when I am being told what I can or can't do. Where I can or can not buy ciggrettes or even have the right to smoke were I so choose. This bill imposes on my rights and every right of an American that chooses to smoke. Every person that gets cancer, doesn't necessarily get it from smoking. If you want to make a sin tax, why not tax those that read dirty magazines, or illegals in our country that want to benefit from being here and use our government as a free ride...

Comment by carl (August 14, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

hogwash, common sense, ridiculous and terms as such make little difference. unfortunately, all that matters are two things; 1) - the majority of the voting public does NOT smoke and, 2) throughout history, imposing one's will upon another is a status symbol - a method of achieving self esteem. Doesn't matter if it's done via war or vote. I am a smoker that buys cigarettes sent through the mail and I/we are OUTNUMBERED. plain and simple. It will take more than OUR numbers complaining....

Revision by webmaster (August 13, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5912 would amend title 39, United States Code, to make cigarettes and certain other tobacco products nonmailable.

Detailed Summary

Amends federal postal law to make cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and roll-your-own-tobacco nonmailable.

Requires tobacco products attempted to be mailed to be disposed of as the Postal Service directs.

Provides a civil penalty for each mailing violation.

Authorizes the Postal Service, on evidence satisfactory to the Postal Service that any person is, for commercial or moneymaking purposes, engaged in the sending of such matter, to: (1) refuse to accept any mailing from that person or his representative unless the person or his representative establishes to the satisfaction of the postmaster that the mailing does not contain such matter; and (2) order the person to cease and desist from mailing such matter.

Authorizes civil actions by states to: (1) enjoin mailings to residents of that state; (2) impose civil penalties; or (3) obtain other relief.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/12/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 452.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Comment by Mookie (August 10, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This is a feeble attempt to circumvent the Constitution, esp. Art. 1 sec 9, that prohibits taxing anything that crosses state lines, Congress may regulate interstate business NOT prevent it...

Comment by merlin (August 10, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Just another move by the Anti-smoker faction, they feed Congress the lies, knowing no one ever checks the facts no matter what they say and the whole country loses the free exercise of yet another right....

Comment by JRo (August 10, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This bill is complete insanity! With all the problems that need to be solved, our dwindling supply of money is being used to promote crap like this. Here's a thought: ban the mailing of all consumable goods (and all junk mail while you're at it), then bring this dumb bill back for comments. Guess this is our punishment for electing a bunch of kuckleheads and sending them to Washington....

Comment by cnozumi (August 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

UPS stopped handling cigarette shipments some time ago, and now USPS may go the same way. This bill only concerns USPS, so it seems like a great opportunity for another small parcel carrier to fill the void. Wow, the free market in action?...

Comment by Idunno (August 1, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Dear members of congress, GFY...

Comment by Jo Jo (July 31, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Crap!!! Let's discriminate against fat people who pose a health risk cost ecpeciall Washington FAT CATS!!...

Comment by ZUNO (July 23, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

DICTATORIAL!!!...

Comment by DaveDavis (July 22, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The American public is loosing its freedom, step by step. Soon we will have less "individual" freedom than Nazi Germany. Europe and Russia has bypassed in individual rights and America has adopted Nazi Germany Police policies. So when you hear the words "democracy" it means free choice for business (economic freedom) but not personal "individual" freedom. Wake-up America but don't worry too much cause "The Democrats in Congress" will take good care of you as the Commies did of their citizens. Fact is: If Congress dislikes cigarettes so much, they could simply ban tobacco, (which would be OK with me) but that would hurt revenue. This bill is designed to force you to buy locally to create revenue. Congress needs smokers or the lost revenue must be replaced with different types unpopular taxes....

Revision by webmaster (July 17, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5912 would amend title 39, United States Code, to make cigarettes and certain other tobacco products nonmailable.

Detailed Summary

Amends federal postal law to make cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and roll-your-own-tobacco nonmailable.

Requires tobacco products attempted to be mailed to be disposed of as the Postal Service directs.

Provides a civil penalty for each mailing violation.

Authorizes civil actions by states to: (1) enjoin mailings to residents of that state; and (2) obtain damages.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/12/2008: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 452.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)

Comment by MeShell (July 16, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I have a better idea for the government nannies: Instead of going after a limited base of smokers for taxes and fines and fees using childrens safety as an excuse, lets pass a bill that puts a $3 tax on each serving of food that has more than 300 calories! That way everyone in this country could participate in their desire of sin tax revenue enhancement, especially the fat cats in Washington!...

Comment by Ray (July 3, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The government has all ready limited our locations we can smoke by The Clean Air Bill. Now they want to limit how we purchase our cigarettes. This infringement on Free Enterprise is unacceptable. Also I can not afford $30.00 a carton due to the high taxes on cigarettes. That is why I purchase my cigarettes online through our Native American establishments. I did have to change the brand but that's OK, because I can purchase cigarettes for $15.00 a carton. There are more important issues that need to be focused on besides takeing away legal purchases aimed at the low income citizens. The people that vote on this bill either are non smokers or can afford the price of cigarettes in the stores. I CAN NOT!!...

Comment by Cynthia (July 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am disabled and homebond. All my groceries and needs are delivered or mailed. This Bill would create a extreme difficulty for me....

Comment by Lisa (June 29, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I agree with a lot of the comments here...one thing is for sure. There are more important issues that the gov needs to address than banning the mailing of smokes. The gov. can but refuses to control the street sales of prescription drugs such as vicodin, percosets, oxycodone etc. because they dont realize the impact it has to their medicaid programs. The states pay for them. Instead, they want the tax dollars on cigarettes. I think if they pass this bill, they should also ban the sale of alcohol. I guarantee that ban would be changed quickly. Let the people get together and take back some of our rights but the only way is by voting these people out of office. They are hitting the low income people whenever they can with the gas prices, etc. So I say lets hit them where and when it hurts them...election time. Initiating "Post office police" is taking things a bit too far. By the way, our new democratic candidate Obama is also a smoker. So go figure....

Comment by David (June 25, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Doesn't this insane bill show you just how rediculous this government has become? Dictators past & present are laughing their butts off because this smacks at the Constitution rights of freedom. What's next, turtlenecks from L.L. Bean banned from the postal service because some bimbo in Congress doesn't like the way they look or because the company didn't cough up some under the table pocket money for them. With a Congress we have these days, no wonder this country is being flushed away. Jerks!...

Comment by noel (June 24, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

oh good lord let's band-aid the situation instead of inforcing the laws on the books regarding children/cigs. Let parents teach their children they are bad or not... The government keeps taking away our rights....at least it's just a cig NOT a drug that REALLY DISTROYS us.... (rolling eyes) I'm sooooo fed up with our government right now. They need to spend time/money fixing what is realllly wrong like the gas/jobs/economy!!!! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Comment by BERT FOWLER (June 21, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING EVERYONE HAS SAID IN THEIR COMMENTS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY...WE CANNOT AFFORD GAS, FOOD, ETC,. AND YET THEY WANT TO CHARGE US, SO THEY WILL GET THE TAX MONEY TO DO WHATEVER WITH, PROBALLY GIVE THEMSELVES MORE RAISES.. ...COME ON WHY DONT THEY GET A REAL LIFE, AND SEE HOW THE COMMON PEOPLE LIVE AND HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO GET ANY KIND OF ENJOYMENT OUT OF LIFE........

Comment by JR (June 20, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Gov. raises the taxes beyond control especially in NY where this bill originates from. The taxes in NY on cigarettes are outrageous. $7,$8,$9 a pack, yet in NC, SC you can buy them for $3 or $4 a pack. That is all TAX in NY. The high tax causes people to buy online, which then have to be mailed. This is why they want this bill to pass. They are losing tax $$$ Why are cigarette taxes so high and not Alcohol? Cuz all the law makers DRINK!!! That's why. A case of beer In NY, NC, FL or CA is all about the same, why aren't cigarettes?? Greedy law makers that want to target smokers for their lack of a balance budget. This is no longer land of the FREE, where are our rights. Stop telling us what we can and cannot do!!! This bill Sucks!!! Period!!...