Rally Pushes For Cigarette Tax Hike
Celeste Smith
Story Created:
Mar 8, 2010 at 1:29 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Mar 8, 2010 at 1:29 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) - More than 100 anti-smoking advocates and healthcare workers rallied at the state Capitol calling for a $1-per-pack increase in the state tax on cigarettes, saying it would help close a growing budget shortfall.
Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, national deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, said Monday that the tax hike would
raise an additional $354 million for the state every year while at the same time decreasing the number of Georgians who light up.
Rep. Ron Stephens, a Savannah Republican, is sponsoring the cigarette tax hike bill. He says it would help offset staggering
smoking-related health costs in the state. Georgia currently slaps a 37-cent tax on cigarettes, one of the nation's lowest.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Anonymous said on Tuesday, Mar 9 at 2:16 AM
Nonsmokers Christian hypocrites took out alot of the economy. Ihey run off a major business Brown & Williams,that was a big part for our economy. Don't you people have something else to do besides worring about someone smoking.
Makarov said on Tuesday, Mar 9 at 12:44 AM
Yeah, I'm a "SMOKER". If I choose not to quit a disgusting habit then I guess taxation wins(I submit my earnings). But what about the farmer that has loans out the wazzoo for land and equipment to grow a crop? He has no choice(government has TAKEN his earnings/no demand kills need for supply)!
butterbean said on Monday, Mar 8 at 9:58 PM
I HATE YOU PEOPLE THAT WON'T LEAVE CIGARETTES ALONE. QUIT DICTATING MY TAXES. I DON'T TRY TO PUSH FOR MORE TAXES ON YOUR BAD HABITS. THEY ARE ALREADY PUTTING DRUGS IN OUR CIGARETTES THAT I DIDN'T WANT. PUT YOUR DRINK AND DONUT DOWN FATTY!
dummy said on Monday, Mar 8 at 8:30 PM
now this is a great idea. lets force more people out of work because we think smokers can pay more money. ok lets stop buying ciggs and start buying bullets.
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