No cigarette tax increase, period! All this will do is increase cigarette smuggling from other places into Delaware, especially Virginia and increasingly Maryland.
Check out this report on cigarette smuggling, and see how much big state cigarette tax increases greatly increased smuggling into Minnesota and Massachusetts. And look at how much smuggling New York state gets, which is currently #1 on this list! I suspect whenever a newer report comes out, it'll show a noticeable increase for California, where voters sadly passed a $2 per pack increase on the ballot this past November.
So we raise the taxes to stop smoking cigarettes but the state is now pushing legalization of pot. Of course the funny thing is more taxes is used as a selling point to legalize pot. Don't forget that pot smokers.
Marianne Carter - 7 years ago
Research supports that the higher the cost of cigarettes, the less likely youth are to start smoking. Given cigarettes' addictive nature, once kids start, they become Big Tobacco customers long-term. Delaware residents can get free help to quit by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Steve - 7 years ago
Why stop at $1?? For the all the healthcare costs that going into taking care of all the consequences of smoking (COPD, heart attacks, lung, colon, and BREAST cancer...the list could get much longer), I would gladly welcome higher taxes on cigarettes to help fund the treatment of all smoking induced disease. And I agree with Ryan, more people would quit so it's a win - win for us all!
Margie - 7 years ago
No more taxes. This is discrimination to smokers. You first off should get on a budget you can afford and stick to it.
Stop trying to make up all of your money on the backs of the poor. The red light cameras, liquor tax, cigarette tax, gas tax along with the other taxes are due to excess spending. You say it is for roads, stopping health problems... safety...enough is enough ! How stupid do you think the Delawareans are ? We are rated 5th in the entire nation on the state trying to live off the taxes of the constituents. If there is a problem..no problem, raise taxes. Citizens don't like it..wait a while and do it anyway.
For the ones who think it will curb smoking...we should be offering a FREE program paid for by the cigarette companies to give help to get people off cigarettes. It is a proven fact that quitting smoking is harder than withdraw from heroin. The average person tries 26 times before they are successful.
Ryan - 7 years ago
I smoke and of the tax is raised that might help me quit due to price.
Bob curatola - 7 years ago
Tax should be raised triple what it is now. Lost both parents to the cancer sticks!!
Mark Phillips - 7 years ago
No more taxes period.
Do what the average Joe has to do. STOP spending!
No cigarette tax increase, period! All this will do is increase cigarette smuggling from other places into Delaware, especially Virginia and increasingly Maryland.
Check out this report on cigarette smuggling, and see how much big state cigarette tax increases greatly increased smuggling into Minnesota and Massachusetts. And look at how much smuggling New York state gets, which is currently #1 on this list! I suspect whenever a newer report comes out, it'll show a noticeable increase for California, where voters sadly passed a $2 per pack increase on the ballot this past November.
https://taxfoundation.org/cigarette-taxes-and-cigarette-smuggling-state-2014/
So we raise the taxes to stop smoking cigarettes but the state is now pushing legalization of pot. Of course the funny thing is more taxes is used as a selling point to legalize pot. Don't forget that pot smokers.
Research supports that the higher the cost of cigarettes, the less likely youth are to start smoking. Given cigarettes' addictive nature, once kids start, they become Big Tobacco customers long-term. Delaware residents can get free help to quit by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Why stop at $1?? For the all the healthcare costs that going into taking care of all the consequences of smoking (COPD, heart attacks, lung, colon, and BREAST cancer...the list could get much longer), I would gladly welcome higher taxes on cigarettes to help fund the treatment of all smoking induced disease. And I agree with Ryan, more people would quit so it's a win - win for us all!
No more taxes. This is discrimination to smokers. You first off should get on a budget you can afford and stick to it.
Stop trying to make up all of your money on the backs of the poor. The red light cameras, liquor tax, cigarette tax, gas tax along with the other taxes are due to excess spending. You say it is for roads, stopping health problems... safety...enough is enough ! How stupid do you think the Delawareans are ? We are rated 5th in the entire nation on the state trying to live off the taxes of the constituents. If there is a problem..no problem, raise taxes. Citizens don't like it..wait a while and do it anyway.
For the ones who think it will curb smoking...we should be offering a FREE program paid for by the cigarette companies to give help to get people off cigarettes. It is a proven fact that quitting smoking is harder than withdraw from heroin. The average person tries 26 times before they are successful.
I smoke and of the tax is raised that might help me quit due to price.
Tax should be raised triple what it is now. Lost both parents to the cancer sticks!!
No more taxes period.
Do what the average Joe has to do. STOP spending!