Feds burned by cigarette smuggling

"Yet every day, the failure to strongly combat the growing crime of contraband cigarette smuggling deprives governments of billions of dollars in tax revenues — siphoned off by terrorist and criminal organizations."

This has to be some kind of joke. Is Rep. King serious? He's crying about terrorist and criminal organizations siphoning off billions in tax revenue. Like no one predicted this very problem when tobacco taxes were raised. Lower the tobacco taxes to a reasonable level that individuals are willing to pay and government will get their revenue. Tax too high and you make normal law abiding citizens willing to go elsewhere to buy their tobacco.

The picture speaks for itself.

NYC sues 'roll-your-own' shops over taxes

"Thomas Farley ( New York City's health commissioner) also defended the city's high taxes on cigarettes, saying that studies had shown that they are pressuring people into quitting, or not taking up the habit, and thereby saving lives."

Pressuring people into quitting smoking is NOT the business of government - Federal, State or Local. The total nonsense about the 'burden' smokers impose can easily be countered with the high levels of tax dollars that are gouged from smokers to pay for whatever government programs progressives can dream up. Also spare me the 'saving lives' BS. How about all the lives that are lost due to all the criminals running loose in the streets. End rant.

Country Class vs. Ruling Class

Just when you thought Mayor Bloomberg couldn't be more of a wannabe tyrant.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg: 'Government’s Highest Duty' Is to Push 'Healthy' Foods

The movie Dodgeball comes to mind.

America's Ruling Class -- And the Perils of Revolution

Clowns of the Senate to Impose De facto Tobacco Prohibition?

Just when you though the war on tobacco and freedom couldn't get too much worse or at least not this fast...I present:

S. 1403-- Saving Lives by Lowering Tobacco Use Act

SEC. 3. TOBACCO TAX INCREASE AND PARITY.

(a) Short Title- This section may be cited as the ‘Saving Lives by Lowering Tobacco Use Act’.

(b) Increase in Excise Tax on Small Cigars and Cigarettes-

(1) SMALL CIGARS- Section 5701(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ‘$50.33’ and inserting ‘$100.50’.

(2) CIGARETTES- Section 5701(b) of such Code is amended--

(A) by striking ‘$50.33’ in paragraph (1) and inserting ‘$100.50’, and

(B) by striking ‘$105.69’ in paragraph (2) and inserting ‘$211.04’.

(c) Tax Parity for Pipe Tobacco and Roll-Your-Own Tobacco-

(1) PIPE TOBACCO- Section 5701(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ‘$2.8311 cents’ and inserting ‘$49.55’.

(2) ROLL-YOUR-OWN TOBACCO- Section 5701(g) of such Code is amended by striking ‘$24.78’ and inserting ‘$49.55’.

Tobacco increases work capacity

Science is conclusive: Tobacco increases work capacity

Roll-your-own-tobacco machines = Freedom

The title "Roll-your-own-tobacco machines stir health concerns" is a crock. The real concern here is the lost tax revenue for State and Federal government.

Can a Little Lawsuit Shut Down a Big Tobacco Racket?

Here's hoping that a lawsuit filed in federal court against the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement—otherwise known as the Tobacco Deal—is taken seriously.

Jonathan Rauch...The Atlantic Monthly, 2011-07-11