Home

Blog

Recently Visited

Subjects

Budget Categories

Recent Blog Posts

How People Voted

2% For, 98% Against
313 votes cast

(put this on your site)

H.R. 4439, The Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010 (68 comments ↓)

  • This item is from the 111th Congress (2010-2011) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.

H.R. 4439 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose the same rate of tax on pipe tobacco as is imposed on roll-your-own tobacco.

(read more ↓)
[92 views]


Cost per :

Learn More

See Related Bills:

  • N/A

See Bills on the Same Subject:
N/A

See Bills in the Same Budget Category:
N/A

Visitor Comments Comments Feed for This Bill

Frank Greguska

January 18, 2010, 10:46pm (report abuse)

This would effectively take the tax rate per pound of pipe tobacco from the current $2.8311 to $24.78. It will have devastating effects to the pipe tobacco industry. Not to mention it will make it mush more difficult to enjoy a casual smoke. Pipe tobacco is in a whole different category than roll-your-own tobacco and should not be considered to be the same.

Dan

January 18, 2010, 11:57pm (report abuse)

Durring the election, I voted for change. Not to be taxed into the poor house.

Kyle

January 19, 2010, 9:06am (report abuse)

How much revenue does the government stand to make with this increase? There cant be more than 1 in 1000 people that smoke pipe, and even less that do it on a daily basis, so there really isn't that much product to tax. And with how much a bowl will cost after this passes, people will not be able to afford this leisure activity and be forced to stop, effectively nullifying any revenue gains the government hoped to achieve with this. For this reason it seams as though a piece of the puzzle is missing... If congress knows that they won't actually make any financial climbs with this tax, why else would they pass it? I can only hope that it's not an underhanded ploy to get people to quit the use of pipe tobacco for "health" reasons. :(

Miss T

January 19, 2010, 1:13pm (report abuse)

This tax equates a quality, casual, timeless hobby to a cheap-way-out for those addicted to cigarettes. They CANNOT be considered one in the same. In an economy that is still struggling to offer solutions to the thousands without jobs, one must consider that destroying an entire industry will simply add more to the unemployment lines.

Pipe tobacco is NOT "Big Tobacco". It cannot take this hit. It should not burden this taxing spree.

worldhookah.com

January 22, 2010, 5:23pm (report abuse)

Yea Yea what do they stand to gain from Old people pipe tobacco? Ever heard of this 400 year old fad called Hookah? Yea they are getting ready to put allot of smoke shops out of business. The shisha AKA Hookah tobacco is considered pipe tobacco. This means a $12.00 wholesale can of starbuzz will now wholesale at 18.75 now x2 = $37.50 at mail order and easily $40.00 +tax at your local shop.

And to think we elect these *ssholes in to the position to screw us as they feel fit.

I spoke to an importer today. He said it plain and simple. The day it passes he is not importing tobacco anymore. I personally started looking at a new business as of today as a new way of life. I will miss tobacco but looks like we will be back in the bike industry. Great job Obama, congress etc...

maher

January 22, 2010, 9:33pm (report abuse)

You must read this to understand. I own a tobacco shop and not loving this at all. Tobacco companies changed the lable on rolling tobacco and wrote pipe tobacco on the bag to avoid paying rolling tobacco tax. Now the government figured out that they don't want to be cheated out of this revenue. Also this bill was origionaly intreduced by Phillip Moris USA (which sells Marlboro) hoping to kill all competition. Big companies simply want to kill the little ones. I suggest that they should instead charge taxes on tobacco sold online. That is where states and small businesses lose billions. It is a fact.

safi

January 22, 2010, 9:42pm (report abuse)

Instead, make companies charge taxes for online sales. That is where all the money is lost.

sloppyjoe

January 22, 2010, 9:46pm (report abuse)

I'm outraged. If this passes I don't know what I'll do.

BillB

January 23, 2010, 2:04pm (report abuse)

This has to stop. Contact your State Senator. If we don't make our voices heard, we have nothing to complain about when they screw us.

Ray Mackessy

January 24, 2010, 11:33am (report abuse)

Enough is enough. I fought for this country in Vietnam and the freedoms I fought for are quickly being erradicated. The President promised, during his campaign that taxes would be lower for the lower & middle class. He promised that help would come to the small business owners. This pipe tobacco tax as well as other tobacco taxes only hurts the people who the President promised to help. I like to smoke. I know the risks and I don't appreciate the government forcing me to quit something I enjoy by taxing me to death. Maybe the non-smokers will start complaining when the government starts taxing soft drinks with sugar or their wine cellars. This tax is not what I fought for during my service to this nation. I voted for Obama because I thought he would bring equal change to all Americans, but I guess he just made those promises to get elected. Well, I won't be fooled next time. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm ashamed of the path our government is going down.

Kevin Godbee

January 24, 2010, 8:31pm (report abuse)

Vote against it here.

http://www.rallycongress.com/stop-the-pipe-tobacco-tax/2826/stop-pipe-tobacco-tax/

Richard R

January 25, 2010, 9:14pm (report abuse)

Enough is ENOUGH!!!! Stop already with the taxes that "WE THE PEOPLE" are tired of paying!!! You people up in Washington sit on your fat backsides day after day dreaming up ways to take our HARD earned money away from us. I for one am SICK to DEATH of all your SPENDING like drunken sailors, then taxing everything I make to pay for it!!! ENOUGH WITH THE TAXES ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Coakley

January 26, 2010, 10:26am (report abuse)

My wife and I own a tobacco shop that specializes in hookahs and and hookah tobacco. This bill will put us out of business. We are currently celebrating our five year anniversary. Every month our number one category is hookah tobacco. This bill will make the least expensive 250 gram box of hookah tobacco retail at over $20 (currently it sells for $5.99). The premium brands will rise to the $40 range.

We are truly a "Mom and Pop" shop, with limited capital. The floor stock tax on our hookah tobacco inventory would be in the $15,000.00 range. This bill would cause us to have to close our business. In light of the current economy, we are very concerned about entering the job market considering the unemployment rate.

Jade

January 26, 2010, 10:30am (report abuse)

This is ridiculous! More people need to become educated on this bill before voting and taking action. It can not be passed. Cutting this type of tobacco WILL lead to more job losses, businesses closing, and many many people suffering due to people making bad decisions for us. Increasing tobacco taxes on pipe tobacco, and Hookah Tobacco, is also affecting an entire Culture, which is ethically wrong. I thought this country was based on freedom?

Ian

January 26, 2010, 12:43pm (report abuse)

I love my hookah, and my cigarettes. I also plan on opening up a hookah lounge after i get my business management degree, but who is going to come to a hookah lounge when they have to pay 20$ a bowl?

That's probably an exaggeration but you get my point.

Stuff Your Own.com

January 26, 2010, 3:02pm (report abuse)

This is all about BIG tobacco crushing small tobacco.....The 2500% increase only raised about 168 million dollars...A drop in the bucket.....Now people are rolling pipe tobacco (who wouldn;t for the savings) and Philip M. doesn't like it......Send in the lobbyist! is Big tobaccos war cry!

Sarah

January 26, 2010, 5:54pm (report abuse)

As an employee of one of the largest Hookah tobacco manufactures and Hookah dealers I can physically see the impact this bill will have on my industry, if passed. Jobs will be lost, unemployment will rise, and many will suffer. The government needs to look more closely at this industry before passing judgment. Hookah tobacco, or Shisha, is different from pipe tobacco or rolling tobacco. It is more than just tobacco but it is a way of life, a Culture to some. Also, if the government is looking to increase tax revenue to pay for other bills passed there will be no money to be made because there will be no businesses to tax. Please be informed and help to take action.

concered guy

January 27, 2010, 1:50pm (report abuse)

As someone who is in the process of opening a hookah lounge (hookahs use pipe tabbaco) this sounds like everything weve worked hard, what we saved, what we planned on doing for the years to come cannot be done. a huge plus to an establishment like this is a good time for very little money. i see absolutly no way of that happening if this bill passes. honestly i dont see anyway to even enjoy it at my home if this passes. i pay my taxes all year round, dont screw us on this.

Semkin

January 27, 2010, 2:48pm (report abuse)

If this passes so many people will lose jobs, at the same this will create a black market for tobacco just like Canada....

Jeff

January 27, 2010, 5:56pm (report abuse)

This bill seem to be congress's easy fix to big tobacco's problem.

me again

January 27, 2010, 6:19pm (report abuse)

Why is it, every time the US government comes up with an idea, the crosshairs are on our rear ends? Blue/Red = MISGUIDED. We don't need government! We have the technology to do away with their jobs!

I've had enough

January 30, 2010, 12:00am (report abuse)

None of you..NONE of you are going back to Washington. Oh and the folks that voted for"change" THANKS idiots..Seriously what did you think was going to happen when you put the Pelosi's of the world in power? Man they've screwed us! Geez..

Tracking this vote,,Vote yes and I assure you I will fund a grass roots op program to ruin you..

Jim from NYC

January 30, 2010, 9:20am (report abuse)

A 775% increase for anything is outrageous, let along pipe tobacco. We just got done with the SCHIP Tax, now this!! Bills like this have a long way to go before they become law. In the end, it has to be passed by the full House and Senate...then on the President. Lets hope that President Obama has enough sense to not sign it, if it makes it to his desk.

This Is Insanity

January 30, 2010, 11:16am (report abuse)

You have got to be kidding me. They just raised the taxes on cigarettes and whatnot and skyrocketed the price as it is. If this passes, even more people will be effected.

Honestly, when will this BS stop? This is UNACCEPTABLE. The greedy pigs in politics do not care about us at all.

And who do these taxes impact the most? Plenty of blue-collar, working-class people who just want a relaxing puff at the end of the day. And what about hookah culture? That has brought together countless people, many of which are late teens/young adults. I could argue for the positive influence of hookah culture: it brings people together to share and enjoy something. It's a very communal thing. Say goodbye to your local hookah bars.

Soon, the only people who will be able to afford tobacco products are the white-collar, rich pigs who are taking control of the country!

We need to stand up RIGHT NOW and do WHATEVER IT TAKES (hint...voting has and will fail to send a message).

RSteve

January 30, 2010, 3:08pm (report abuse)

There are many excellent tobacco sellers in Switzerland. They'll soon be doing a brisk business selling to customers in the U.S.

strongirish

February 2, 2010, 3:24am (report abuse)

No matter which way one leans, taxation is habit forming for the government. The more that we tolerate taxation no matter what the product is, the easier we make it for them to tax the next item. and for what, so they can give the money away or spend it on the next pork bill attached to real legislation. I too fought in Viet Nam in service to my country and I sure id not put my life on the line for us to lose our freedoms. I paid a price for it too, I am now on disability. Smoking my pipe is one of the few luxeries that i have and if they make it where I cannot afford it, then what is next. We all need to write our government officials and tell them enough! I did, have you?

kew

February 2, 2010, 12:41pm (report abuse)

I'm completely against it and I don't smoke pipe Tobacco, But when it comes to taxes it doesn't matter what the people want the government will have it pass, I believe it is called PROVE it didn't pass, Do you really think the American people wanted cigarettes Tobacco & cigarette taxes to go up as high as it did. The government gets what they want just so long as they are nice & comfy in their million dollar homes & there thousand dollar suits we pay for. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T MATTER.

aj87

February 2, 2010, 1:02pm (report abuse)

(maher January 22, 2010,Tobacco companies changed the lable on rolling tobacco and wrote pipe tobacco on the bag to avoid paying rolling tobacco tax.)

Have you tried the pipe tobacco you say they have changed the labels on, I have it taste nothing like cigarette rolling tobacco but because I can't afford $50.+ a bag I have to get the pipe tobacco after this tax hike I guess I will grow my own until they tax the seeds to go to $50 a seed

firestick

February 4, 2010, 5:03pm (report abuse)

You can write all the letters you want, you can claim foul all you want, and you can whine about governmental takeover and intrusions of all things you hold dear, again, all you want, but the true remaining power that the American people have is their individual vote. Never again vote for ANY incumbent, and from the pool of possible candidates who qualify (i.e., simply not being "professional politicians") select those who will commit to one term limits. We need one term Presidents, one term Reps and one term Senators. We should never again tolerate "politician" as a job description. Its the only way this egregious trend of a more intrusive governmental (at all levels) will be reversed.

Take the time to find qualified candidates in your local, state, and federal elections who will make such commitments. Letter writing is not a deep enough strategy. You have to get involved directly with the candidate selection process. You will not be alone. This is the reality of tomorrow.

OhioPipeSmoker

February 5, 2010, 7:58am (report abuse)

Why stop at 775% why not make it 7000% to make this joke of a bill even funnier? This is absurd and no matter how many people are against it it will pass anyway because the government needs more money than ever thanks to Obama.

christian H

February 7, 2010, 4:51am (report abuse)

I'm with the others here that believe that this bill will pass. Politicians don't give a **** about you and your letters! However, I bet when some lobbiest comes knocking on their office door with a wad of bills for his "Campaign" they will listen!

Maybe thats what we as consumers need to start doing. Someone needs to start an orginization called "stop raping me!" that takes one-time donations from people who are going to be affected if this tax or that tax passes, and maybe "we the people" can buy our way for once!

mikess

February 9, 2010, 8:07am (report abuse)

laws are suppose to be passed to make things equal and just for all. unfortuately these days they are passed to make the wealthy wealthier and they poor poorer. sign the petetion http://www.rallycongress.com/stop-the-pipe-tobacco-tax/2826/stop-pipe-tobacco-tax/

Howard Jacob

February 12, 2010, 8:15am (report abuse)

This is anothr travisty of injustice to the low income people, and many others as well, Sure they got a raise for cost of living too, but did we? NO, because only their cost of living expenses went up, or say they have said. Then to add this tax will only put many small places out of work, and those supporting such nonsense surely need a wake uo call, and who are they serving, themslves, or the people, and quite evident for themselve only!

Rick D.

February 15, 2010, 4:16pm (report abuse)

I am a newspaperman (in Pennsylvania)... and I am trolling for comments about this proposed Roll Yer Own tobacco tax (of about $24)...

I can't promise you that every letter you send me will make it into the story, although if you are in Central Pennsylvania, then I can almost assure you that you'll make the story.

I am writing the article. Send me your name and how I can reach you. I must be able to reach you.

rdandes@dailyitem.com

Thanks

rick

Ringmaster76120

February 19, 2010, 3:51am (report abuse)

People it is not enough for you to comment on this story. This bill was introduced by by Rep Steve Cohen (D-TN). Tennessee is a tobacco state! Write, email, fax every Tennessee newspaper and tell them this bill will kill an entire industry in their state...Tell them their own Representative (Steve Cohen) is the bad guy here. Contact your local Congress person and voice your opinion.

Dante

February 22, 2010, 11:27pm (report abuse)

I hope those of you who voted for Obama are happy now. He's bought and paid for by the large tobacco companies not to mention he's a dancing puppet and George Soros, a Nazi collaborator who should have been shot or locked up for the rest of his life, is his puppetmaster.

thevik54@yahoo.com

February 24, 2010, 2:52pm (report abuse)

its a tax scam imposed mainly by major tobacco companies u see they had obviously paid select indviduals in congress to raise rolling tobacco cost because the new tobacco tax that would have made rolling tobacco billions in anual revenue becuse even after the tobacco tax that was raised on major labels like marlboro and camel people would obviously be happy to switch to roll ur own due to cost effectivness not anymore due to corrupt politicians marlboro is still #1 because they had succeede in making roll u own far more expensive using the laws we made against us more notably THE PEOPLE WILL NOT profit from this either more so well lose political (public option) ground because items such as this are underground deals that make politicisns (ARONLD SCHWRTSANAGER) millions

J.L.Brown

February 27, 2010, 3:17pm (report abuse)

This bill attempts to destroy two industries by targeting not only the tobacco industry but all convenience store owners who are dependent on tobacco sales for their livelihood.

This can also be viewed as a political policy intended to further destroy our relationship with middle eastern ethnic groups who are the majority owners of convenience stores. We will have our revenge at the polls when fools get what they deserve: unemployment!

Greg R.

March 3, 2010, 5:56pm (report abuse)

Last year the government imposed the tax on roll your own tobacco. It was the tobacco lobbyists for the major cigarette companies that went to the government and struck a deal for a Fed tax increase of a dollar a pack. Part of the deal was that roll your own tobacco would get a $25/ pound increase to help the cigarette companies be more competitive. The RYO tobacco suppliers found the loop hole, change the cut and call it pipe tobacco. Now the true pipe smokers are going to be punished. I really think our elected officials in Washington have more pressing problems to attend to.

Tom E

March 4, 2010, 10:26pm (report abuse)

Another great idea brought to smokers by Phillip Morris. The true devil behind all the new taxes and regulations in the tobacco industry. Working it so that they can create and even larger monopoly and charge people more money. I am suprised they don't put a tax on the filters.

Lee

March 10, 2010, 8:38pm (report abuse)

Don't say that or they will tax the filters too.

Nevertheless, let me get this right. It seems that most of you think that raising the taxes RYO cigarette tobacco is just fine, but somehow raising the taxes on pipe tobacco is an abomination?

Both are and you should have seen the light when the current administration got in bed with the tobacco lobbyist and raised the taxes on RYO cigarette tobacco from $1.00 per pound to $24.78 effective April 1st 2009.

You didn't think pipe tobacco would be next?

It's kind of like when the Nazi's started doing away with the handicapped. No one cared because it wasn't them. Next it was the Jews, then the Catholics, etc. No one did anything because it wasn't them but it soon became all of them!

You should have raised holy hell when they raised the price on RYO tobacco but you didn't because it didn't affect you! Now you will be taxed into the poor house on tobacco and everything else thanks to "Change!" Yes we can! Feel like a fool yet?

RICHARD S REYNOLDS

March 13, 2010, 8:57pm (report abuse)

HOW ABOUT CONGRESS TAKING A 1000% PAYCUT WHICH WOULD SAVE THE COUNTRY A LOT.

Christapher Hasher

March 14, 2010, 1:37am (report abuse)

The government “your government” is and for a long time has been out of touch with its so called people. I quit smoking a little over a month ago “NO TAX MONEY FROM ME”. As Americans, all of us need to wake up to the fact that we are being used! YOU! Need to make a decision! Are you going to continue to be bled or will you fight back! I’m not advocating violence! We should stop paying the wages of these so called representatives!

When these low life crooks can’t make money working for us, only the honest will remain!

How can this be done, you may ask?

Stop buying junk you don’t need! Most of it comes from china anyway! “Less tax revenue”

Grow your own food! Learn how to can food!

Teach your own children! Do you agree with what your children are learning in school?

You make the change!

If YOU don’t try to make changes in you own life than you are just an enabler for these crooked elected fools!

Lawrence Zimbelman

March 14, 2010, 6:15am (report abuse)

This country has gone to hell in handbasket. Having an income is hard enough and the GD government wants to take it away with more of their stupd a** taxes. Amd if that isn't enough, the American people are being stripped of their rights. ever since the GD demorats got in, this country has become a communist dictatorship.

TO THE US GOVERNMENT--GO TO HELL.

Watchdog2006

March 15, 2010, 11:36pm (report abuse)

When are you people going to realize you mean nothing to your government.Voting means nothing,complaining means nothing. Your government only bows to the orders from major corporations and there's nothing you can do about it. This county is a lost cause to corporate greed.

David P.

March 16, 2010, 12:44am (report abuse)

Maybe we should all start smoking cigars, since they are exempt from all of these tax increases and were excluded from the PACT act (prohibits shipping of all tobacco and tobacco products, except CIGARS), as well.

It is obvious that the representatives that we elect, do not represent us. They are too busy lining their pockets with the money that the big tobacco companies continue to hand over to them long as they continue to screw over us.

Nanny Socialist States of America

March 16, 2010, 2:11am (report abuse)

To the people who run/control our government: GO TO HELL.

Dan C.

March 16, 2010, 7:31am (report abuse)

I don't know when this crap is going to stop, if ever. I am supposed to be guaranteed certain rights under the constitution. I fought for these rights and saw my friends die for them. We have young men and women dying in a stupid war now for the rights of people in foriegn countries while we continue to lose ours.Me, I'm really sick and tired of being protected from myself.I have to wear a seatbelt, I have to wear a helmet, This country has a lot more issues that our so called leaders need to be concerned with. Obama stated in one of his speeches that "America was the greatest country in the world, I hope you will join me in changing it". How stupid is that? Why don't the politicians tax their alcohol, hookers, and drugs,and give up exempting themselves from the same laws we are expected to follow, maybe we wouldn't have to pay all the taxes we pay. Maybe I should move to a foreign country and let Washington fight for my rights, it sure as hell isn't working for us here.

Mary aLICE

March 16, 2010, 4:45pm (report abuse)

Please leave the smokers alone; tax liquor wine, wine coolers and beer. You are attacking one set of people - American and reportedly their free rights; Has Congress gone crazy; sure ya'll have large salaries to pay the price of tobacco; what about the rest of us and what will yiou tax next; water and air? Get real.

lugla

March 18, 2010, 10:29am (report abuse)

enough already. judges, lawyers and politicians are a bunch of leeches that dont produce a damm thing and live off of our hard earned money. if the government was run like a bussiness they would have declared bankrupcy long ago. vote the whole bunch out and elect responsible original bussiness owners into office that know what a bottom line is.

tony oglialoro

March 18, 2010, 4:08pm (report abuse)

where does it end when does it stop .the gov. let the mortgage companys take our houses, than offer a stimnlus package that donald trump can't even get approved for, gas is only for the rich food is gettin higher and now smokes are over 50.00 a carton. 3 tabacco leaves can't cost more then a dollar do you gov. boys want my blood to. this country is goin down the drain and thats sad for a country that we call america.ITS ALWAYS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE POLITCAL AND MONEY keep on hurting the little people but remember u would not bi their if it wasn't for us and that CAN change.

Another Commenter

March 18, 2010, 9:49pm (report abuse)

Taxing any class of items in that manner seems to be against everything this country is supposed to stand for, basically unless you make x amount of money you can not have this anymore.

FED UP AMERICAN

March 19, 2010, 11:11am (report abuse)

Federal reg. took liquer ads off tv, they took tabacco ads off tv these companys are saveing money and their not increaseing their prices to consumers .Now look at beer it has aolchol in it,and beer drinkers are the no.1 cause of accidents on our highways but its sold everyware all major sporting events at 6.00 for a 12 oz cup and they have no problem adv.on national tv.I guess huge gov donations for campaine funds makes our gov turn their heads or they all drink beer.smokeing is a right for everyone just like drinking just like firearms hay why not put a 2000% tax on guns

amazed smoker

March 19, 2010, 11:57am (report abuse)

just saw artical on deseret news site where pre. obama lost a hocky bet with canadas prime minister and shipped him a case of molson beer and also a case of yuengling beer the presidents choice of beer for personal use. nowI can see more clearly why beer companys arn't taxed at a 2000% hike and still have T V ads our PRESIDENT & STAFF all drink BEER

wise old man

March 19, 2010, 2:12pm (report abuse)

Didn't someone say i'm not goin to raise taxes.Wonder who that was

Tim

March 21, 2010, 9:35am (report abuse)

Yep, it's business as usual. This is nothing short of another business strategy.

Fed Up In TN

April 6, 2010, 11:38pm (report abuse)

I agree. The big buzz in the pipe smoking community, and I'm a lady pipe smoker. This is totally ridiculous, in my opinion. A lot more people drink beer/hard liquor. Why don't they put a 5000% or 10000% tax increase on that? And while they're at it, why don't they put a 2000% tax increase on beef? Where does it end, for goodness sakes?

Give me a break

April 9, 2010, 2:25am (report abuse)

I am a pipe smoker and yeah the cost of tobacco will increase. But first, it just makes pipe tobacco have the same tax as roll-your-own tobacco. Second, tobacco is probably the leading cause of health problems and death that is is a choice and therefore preventable. And finally, the average pipe smoker uses a couple pounds of tobacco a year. At $1.50 an ounce that's maybe $5-$10/month. It's hardly going to put a crimp in our enjoyable vice or drive everyone out of business. Get real. I am all for keeping taxes low, but this whole kneejerk "they are trampling on my Constitution" nonsense is getting really old. In fact, this bill seems to be required by Article I, Section. 8 which requires taxes to be uniform. So quit complaining and enjoy a pipe.

dc1942

April 15, 2010, 10:42pm (report abuse)

I have been smoking pipe for 50 years and I would hate to think that my greedy government would be the reason I quit.

Breaker

May 5, 2010, 12:29pm (report abuse)

Hey "give me a break" if you only smoke a pound or two a year you are NOT a pipe smoker. I don't know where you get your stats. but they are wrong. And since you obviously don't know anything about pipe smoking you could not know that there is a large difference between roll you own and pipe smoking. Parity in pricing could not be compared due to the amount used. You sir are a Yuppy wanting to look in. Perhaps even a co-sponsor of this sorry excuse for legislation. I pay for my health care and pipe smoking and I don't need you or your politician buddies taxing me MORE or or telling me when to smoke. Stick that in your pipe... wait I forgot you don't know how. Just go chew some JUICY-FRUIT...

JerryPiro

May 8, 2010, 12:33am (report abuse)

I can't stop smoking. I tried everything in the market including medical procedures. What happened to the billions of dollars the government received in the settlement in court from tobacco companies??? Where is the medical cure or treatment that they promised to help smoker's quit?

I have an idea...TAX BEER AND ALCOHOL instead of cigarettes and let the fun begin... I don't drink so it wouldn't affect me any! Just like the comments of non-smokers that the smokers should be taxed. Then start taxing the idiots and stupid people beginning in the government and then the rest of the people.

Fed Up In TN

May 15, 2010, 6:09am (report abuse)

The PACT Act has passed, so cigarette and smokeless tobacco users will have to go to their local B&M's instead of buying on the internet and having the Post Office deliver them.

I haven't heard any new news about H.R. 4439,but I have a feeling it will pass some time this year.

I smoke over half a pound of pipe tobacco a month and some cigars to boot. I gave up cigarettes and switched to a pipe because of the ridiculous price increase.

SICK OF GOVERMENT

June 7, 2010, 4:04pm (report abuse)

TIME TO START GROWING YOUR OWN. IT'S THE ONLY WAY AROUND THE GOVERMENT. INSTEAD OF MAKING THEM RICHER AND US POORER.

patrick sullivan

July 28, 2010, 6:08am (report abuse)

One more example of taxing the poor (and middle class) to give more billions to the wealthy elite. The mega bankers were "too big to fail" so they open our treasury to help them grow bigger and give themselves multimillion dollar bonuses for the suffering they have already created for the hard working men and women of our country. So next slap a tax of INSANE magnitude on a product which is enjoyed responsibly by adults, which will totally wreck the industry and put many more out of work and into the already overburdened unemployment relief lines! WHY ARE THEY EVEN THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

Warren

August 31, 2010, 12:28pm (report abuse)

This is more government crap. I don't even smoke but I understand this: it's a way to foist regressive taxes on the poor.

It's also probably going to engender another black market as a de facto subsidy, something like drug prohibition.

Is the DEA looking for new turf as the prohibition of pot erodes? This might be a good way to lay the groundwork for ensuring their job security. Hey, it worked for the Bureau of Prohibition in the 1930s.

johnthe hatt

September 1, 2010, 3:15pm (report abuse)

enough is enough...

ScooterGirl

September 10, 2010, 1:22am (report abuse)

"In fact, this bill seems to be required by Article I, Section. 8 which requires taxes to be uniform."

Have you ever read the Constitution, "Gimme a break". Article 1, Section 8 states "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States". You will notice that when referring to uniformity they left out taxes and only refer to duties, imposts and excises. So much for your attempt to use the Constitution to back up your weak argument that all tobacco products must be taxed the same.

Cheryl Barker

October 21, 2010, 12:59pm (report abuse)

I hope this bill dies a quick and complete death. If only people could see that this isn't even about smoking, per se; it's about controlling people through highly publicized lies, and censorship of information that would expose the liars for what they are. It sickens me. I'm old enough to remember when this actually was a relatively free country. Not so anymore.

RSS Feeds for This Bill

Keep yourself updated on user contributions and debates about this bill! (Learn more about RSS.)