kailsar:
I agree that the constant small price rises here in the UK are pointless. Cigarettes, like all addictive products, have a low elasticity of demand, meaning that a change in price has a relatively small effect on the demand for a product. Regular small increases in the price of a pack of cigarettes don't make people give up: they do, however, make more money for the government. Smokers complain about it, but they keep smoking.

If the government was serious about reducing the proportion of people smoking, they would make occasional large increases to tobacco tax. If you increase the price of a pack of cigarettes from five pounds to six pounds fifty, then many people would quit. Put up the price of rolling tobacco in the same way; many people move on to it when straight cigarettes become too expensive. Increase fines for selling smuggled tobacco, as more and more people are buying their tobacco from "some guy down the pub".

Either get serious about controlling tobacco use through tax, or leave people to get on with their habit. But they won't do either, since doing the former would be hugely unpopular with smokers, who still make part a large proportion of the electorate. The latter would remove a revenue stream for the government: one where they can constantly increase taxes without public outcry.

And that is how I spent my last minutes of 2008.

And apologies to the Escapist grammar police for starting my last two sentences with a conjunction.

Three cheers for economics! You're right, cigarettes have a low price elasticity of demand. As smoking is very hard to quit, the government can raise the prices. People have to smoke, so they adapt to the price change. Ergo, the government earns a lot more revenue, due to cigarettes being such a large market.

A large part of the UK's economy comes from the taxation of cigarettes. There's a lot of "smoking kills" adverts on T.V. but this country relies on the revenue acquired by taxing cigarettes.

I think you're wrong about larger increases in price leading to people seeking alternatives though. I believe people would just grin and bear it, due to the addiction, familiarity, and ease of going to the corner shop and buying your favourite brand of cigarette.

letsnoobtehpwns:
the colonies went to war and broke up with england because of taxes exactly like this. LET US SMOKERS SMOKE!

They didn't have a problem with taxes, they had a problem with being taxed without representation. Having to pay useless tax after useless tax to pay for something they weren't responsible for and they shouldn't have to deal with. The way I see it, taxing cigarettes is a completely understandable thing. I don't see any big deal with it and it's not like you guys can't possible have a say in it.

sirdanrhodes:

Hear me out, true, they are trying just to milk you for every penny you have, but the side effect is you can't afford the cigs, hence the odds are you stop. Now, I know they son't care about you, don't remind me. Also, I am FOR the smoking ban, but only because smoke makes my eyes water and I sneeze alot when near cigarette smoke.

So because you don't like something, that means other people aren't allowed to do it and that you'll support a nationwide (closing in on world-wide) ban?

There's a word for that, it's called fascism.

I honestly don't see why all the fuddy-duddy types couldn't have just said yes to smoking and non-smoking rooms, not booting the smokers outside. We should just be able to share our public places don't you think.

DannyDamage:

sirdanrhodes:

Hear me out, true, they are trying just to milk you for every penny you have, but the side effect is you can't afford the cigs, hence the odds are you stop. Now, I know they son't care about you, don't remind me. Also, I am FOR the smoking ban, but only because smoke makes my eyes water and I sneeze alot when near cigarette smoke.

So because you don't like something, that means other people aren't allowed to do it and that you'll support a nationwide (closing in on world-wide) ban?

There's a word for that, it's called fascism.

I honestly don't see why all the fuddy-duddy types couldn't have just said yes to smoking and non-smoking rooms, not booting the smokers outside. We should just be able to share our public places don't you think.

I never said I was against smoking rooms, I am for them. I take it you're a smoker.

If the smokers want to continue paying ridiculous amounts of money to slowly kill themselves, then I will not stand in their way.

Smokers don't pay to kill themselves directly for those who say 'You can go pay $XXX.XX a year to kill yourself.' It is the same as saying 'You pay $XXX.XX a year to give yourself liver damage from alcohol or arthritis from joining a gym and others.' Just wanted to point that out and help you lot get off your high horse. Saying 'I'm not on my high horse just because I don't smoke / pay to kill myself' is the act of being on ones high horse.

The Government is not trying to stop people smoking, read the back of any cigarette pack for statistics and you'll see how many people die from cigarettes a year, now imagine how many didn't and are still buying them. Charges taxes and claiming it's an attempt to help people quit is just them trying to appear caring to the masses and generally it works.

Always wanted to watch the movie, didn't know there was a novel ^^

sirdanrhodes:

I never said I was against smoking rooms, I am for them. I take it you're a smoker.

Yes, but not of cigarettes.

I'd personally rather not go to public places where people are playing silly buggers whilst on their 10th cheap drink of the night afternoon and preparing to start a fight with the first person that looks at them. This doesn't mean I'd ban them from public sight.

All this is is an evolution of the 'extra tax drug'. With my parent's generation, about 90% of people ended up smoking because it was seen as the thing to do, whilst giving the government some more money.

It's the same with our generation except with drinking. Because I don't really drink (once every other month or so), people's general perception of me is that I'm weird or gay or retarded or something.

Ace of Spades:
If the smokers want to continue paying ridiculous amounts of money to slowly kill themselves, then I will not stand in their way.

How very nice of you. Maybe you could aim that at the drinkers too, the people who choose to drive around in a car or fly on planes, seeing as you have just as much chance dying from one of these as you do from smoking.

I love this new trendy anti-smoking fad; Shouting out at the smokers from inside the pub with a whiskey in your hand, go on tell them again how unhealthy it is and continue pretending alcohol isn't a drug....what's that? They can't hear you because you're pissed? Oh what a shame.

whoops1995:
new jersey

Locobato:
Where do you live? I live in Texas and at the beginning of 2008 the federal government raised taxes by a dollar. But the cigarette companies have tried to compensate by offering more bargains and special prices.

new jersey

When I first read that cigarettes were $6 a pack where you were from, I immediately assumed you were from NJ since I live there and spend the same amount on a pack. It seems my assumptions were correct. The reason NJ prices are so high is that the government is trying to ban smoking in the state (i.e. you can't smoke in public buildings, or in Six Flags for that matter. god i hated enforcing that rule) but to get back on track, they are trying to tax the living hell out of them so people won't want to buy them. We see how well that is working [sarcasm]

^^ The other thing with increasing taxes is that the government are sulking because so many people buy duty free tobacco. No tax = much easier on the wallet.

So instead of the gov. lowering the price of cigs/tobacco at home so more people buy from them, they try to stop people buying as much duty free goods abroad and RAISE the home price.

Tools.

That's why I drive about 15 min. away to PA to buy them for about 3-4 dollars cheaper most of the time.

Well, in the US, much of our healthcare system runs on money taken from tobacco companies. In fact, much of Obama's "wonderful" health care plan depends on money taken in from tobacco companies. I don't smoke and I don't like the smell of smoke, but I don't agree with heavily taxing an industry to support something the government shouldn't be involved in either. If knowing the danger of smoking, someone is willing to do it, then I say we should let them without imposing hefty fines or supporting them later with a universal health care system.

Littaly:
Always wanted to watch the movie, didn't know there was a novel ^^

I've always wanted to see it too, but never had the time, though, the novel is really good and a quick read.

njautobody:

whoops1995:
new jersey

Locobato:
Where do you live? I live in Texas and at the beginning of 2008 the federal government raised taxes by a dollar. But the cigarette companies have tried to compensate by offering more bargains and special prices.

new jersey

When I first read that cigarettes were $6 a pack where you were from, I immediately assumed you were from NJ since I live there and spend the same amount on a pack. It seems my assumptions were correct. The reason NJ prices are so high is that the government is trying to ban smoking in the state (i.e. you can't smoke in public buildings, or in Six Flags for that matter. god i hated enforcing that rule) but to get back on track, they are trying to tax the living hell out of them so people won't want to buy them. We see how well that is working [sarcasm]

then again would you really want to be smoking a cigarette while riding kingdom ka. Though i think that smoking in pbulic places is very annoying. For my birthday one time I went to restaurant for dinner, the meal was completely ruined by the amount of people smoking and my clothes smelled for a week. I think that smokers shouldn't have to smoke in a restaurant, they can just smoke after or before. If they really badly had the urge to smoke i don't see the problem in stepping outside. I see it as a common courtesy.

EmileeElectro:
They're probably trying to deterrent you from smoking, but that's where the money comes from to fund hospitals, so if everyone stopped smoking, the hospitals will be poorly funded.

It costs my mum about £1,000 a year to pay for cigs.
I don't see point in it myself, if I wanted to kill myself I'd put a gun to my head. At least it won't cost any money.

Actually dying in any country is a lot more expensive than people would ever think. Sure the act can be cheap but the burial, casket, burning of the body can easily run from 3,000 dollars to 10,000 dollars. And if there is no family can be found to accept the financial burden the government actually has to pay which means the people have to pay. Dying in a first world country is never cheap.

Long term yeah smoking is a lot more expensive than people will ever realize.

whoops1995:

njautobody:

whoops1995:
new jersey

Locobato:
Where do you live? I live in Texas and at the beginning of 2008 the federal government raised taxes by a dollar. But the cigarette companies have tried to compensate by offering more bargains and special prices.

new jersey

When I first read that cigarettes were $6 a pack where you were from, I immediately assumed you were from NJ since I live there and spend the same amount on a pack. It seems my assumptions were correct. The reason NJ prices are so high is that the government is trying to ban smoking in the state (i.e. you can't smoke in public buildings, or in Six Flags for that matter. god i hated enforcing that rule) but to get back on track, they are trying to tax the living hell out of them so people won't want to buy them. We see how well that is working [sarcasm]

then again would you really want to be smoking a cigarette while riding kingdom ka. Though i think that smoking in pbulic places is very annoying. For my birthday one time I went to restaurant for dinner, the meal was completely ruined by the amount of people smoking and my clothes smelled for a week. I think that smokers shouldn't have to smoke in a restaurant, they can just smoke after or before. If they really badly had the urge to smoke i don't see the problem in stepping outside. I see it as a common courtesy.

I am a smoker and I actually agree with you. Seeing as second-hand smoke is harmful, I like to avoid situations where I am exposing someone else to harm just because I feel the urge for a fix. So I'm with you there. I can wait till after dinner. : )

As for the escalating prices for cigarettes, I would suggest people pick up the habit of rolling your own. Saves you a bundle, and avoids some of the more dubious chemicals in pre-rolled packs. : 3

I think the taxes on the smokes will just pay for their medical bills later. (I'm Canadian, we get "Free health care")

[quote="letsnoobtehpwns" post="18.82032.1108325"]the colonies went to war and broke up with england because of taxes exactly like this. LET US SMOKERS SMOKE![/quotecan England break away from the english government, probably not. but the North can always break away from the South

if the colonies broke away from England because of taxes, then maybe the North should break away from the South

ohellynot:
if the colonies broke away from England because of taxes, then maybe the North should break away from the South

when you sya north breaking away from the south I really hope your not talking about the U.S. because we tried dividing the states back in the 1860's and we learned the hadr way that a civil war is pretty much like shooting ourselves in the foot.

DannyDamage:

sirdanrhodes:

I never said I was against smoking rooms, I am for them. I take it you're a smoker.

Yes, but not of cigarettes.

I'd personally rather not go to public places where people are playing silly buggers whilst on their 10th cheap drink of the night afternoon and preparing to start a fight with the first person that looks at them. This doesn't mean I'd ban them from public sight.

All this is is an evolution of the 'extra tax drug'. With my parent's generation, about 90% of people ended up smoking because it was seen as the thing to do, whilst giving the government some more money.

It's the same with our generation except with drinking. Because I don't really drink (once every other month or so), people's general perception of me is that I'm weird or gay or retarded or something.

Ace of Spades:
If the smokers want to continue paying ridiculous amounts of money to slowly kill themselves, then I will not stand in their way.

How very nice of you. Maybe you could aim that at the drinkers too, the people who choose to drive around in a car or fly on planes, seeing as you have just as much chance dying from one of these as you do from smoking.

I love this new trendy anti-smoking fad; Shouting out at the smokers from inside the pub with a whiskey in your hand, go on tell them again how unhealthy it is and continue pretending alcohol isn't a drug....what's that? They can't hear you because you're pissed? Oh what a shame.

You're presuming a bit much here. I'm not telling people they shouldn't smoke, or drink or any of that. People can do whatever they want. I also don't recall saying anything about alcohol not being a drug. I just hold up a metaphorical sign "Smoke/Drink/Drive/Fly at own risk".

Littaly:
Always wanted to watch the movie, didn't know there was a novel ^^

whoops1995:
I've always wanted to see it too, but never had the time, though, the novel is really good and a quick read.

It is a really good movie. Very witty, intelligent, and even makes a non-smoker like me want to smoke, that's how good it was made. Definitely worth a watch, especially with a few friends.

ChocoCake:

Littaly:
Always wanted to watch the movie, didn't know there was a novel ^^

whoops1995:
I've always wanted to see it too, but never had the time, though, the novel is really good and a quick read.

It is a really good movie. Very witty, intelligent, and even makes a non-smoker like me want to smoke, that's how good it was made. Definitely worth a watch, especially with a few friends.

I'll be sure to check it out

Cigarette prices are so exuberant do to their addictive nature and because the Government collects a massive amount of tax from cigarette sales. I believe the last estimate was within the 70% range. The attempts to deter people from smoking through commercials and other forms of media are purely an excuse so they may claim they have tried to wane people from smoking when in actuality they want the complete opposite.

My stance on smoking is do so if you so desire and be done with it. The sudden serge of "no smoking" laws especially in bars and restaurants has become ridiculous. Bars relied heavily on those sales and restaurants had a proper section for smoking and non smoking; granted not all however if that is the case then do not dine at the aforementioned establishment. The newest law they are attempting to pass is no smoking in your vehicle with children in said vehicle.

You would be surprised how many people actually tried smoking on Kingda-Ka just to have it blow in their face. But I do agree with your points as a social smoker myself i can resist the urge to smoke until I'm in an area alone or with friends. It's just amazing how many people do it anyway even though they know it annoys people. As Alfred in The Dark Knight said "Some people just like to watch the world burn."

Bourne:
The newest law they are attempting to pass is no smoking in your vehicle with children in said vehicle.

I know i'm taking you out of context here so bare with me. I don't see whats wrong with this law. Second hand smoke isnt very good for children and watching their parents smoke will probably make them more likely to smoke themselves(no sexual references intended) also it's really not safe to drive and smoke, not only do you not have two hands on the wheel but, everytime you exhale smoke, your temporarily blinded. not to mention it's a distraction.

EDIT:

njautobody:
You would be surprised how many people actually tried smoking on Kingda-Ka just to have it blow in their face.

really? I'd be afrid on the massive drop that I'd like swallow my cig or something, also that would suck to be behind them if you don't like smoke.

I'm from belgium. A pack a smokes costs 6€ here. Price has gone up alot in the last few years. I think some people really do want to raise taxes on cigarettes so people would smoke less. Others are just hopping along because they think they took the train to money ville. Problem is its not working the way you'd think.

People from england don't come here anymore to buy their cigarettes since it's not that much cheaper anymore. They go to luxembourg or whatever(and so are alot of people from belgium nowadays).

Some people stop smoking. Other people just smoke less... Problem is that smoking is good for the economy. Belgium is down 700 million euros a year because they upped taxes(ironicaly enough that money is spent on health and social care, they should give smokers a bed of gold when they get admitted in the hospital). So what you're doing is getting ALOT less money for social and health care so that people can live longer and cost more money... Yea that seems the right thing to do...

By the way you shouldn't forget that smokers are also good for horeca-sector (not sure if its an english word... Means café's and nightlife business). Non smokers are in general alot more boring and they drink less than smokers. Any cafe owner can tell you that. (Don't even bother argueing me on this one. It's a fact. I see it every time I go out).

whoops1995:

Bourne:
The newest law they are attempting to pass is no smoking in your vehicle with children in said vehicle.

I know i'm taking you out of context here so bare with me. I don't see whats wrong with this law. Second hand smoke isnt very good for children and watching their parents smoke will probably make them more likely to smoke themselves(no sexual references intended) also it's really not safe to drive and smoke, not only do you not have two hands on the wheel but, everytime you exhale smoke, your temporarily blinded. not to mention it's a distraction.

No worries, mate. I do agree to an extent however where my argument lays is the ridiculous nature of the law itself. The vehicle in question is your priority, you bought/leased/whatever the car with your own finances yet they are attempting to pass a law that will disallow you to do what you want within it. If it were to pass I imagine it will not be long before they try upgrading to "no smoking in a vehicle period" and so forth as this has been the example presented in other cases.

In regards to safety, I never drive with two hands on the wheel, barring when absolutely necessary such as icy roads that require a slight bit more control of the car and even then only when the car already responded somewhat sluggish, which is not often. As for smoke, most people leave the window open at least a crack, which allows the smoke room to escape. I am not a smoker myself, although I have had a few (and by that I mean ten in a year or some such) however if I can drive while drinking (soft drinks people), fiddling with the stereo or what have you, it is no more difficult to drive while smoking; granted I suppose it may be for some.

Again I do not claim to agree with smoking around children however I believe laws like this are stepping beyond people's rights to do what they choose within the own priority; and before anyone attempts to twist that logic onto an actual crime. That is an entirely different scenario.

My stand on smoking is either cease with all these laws of where you can and cannot smoke or make doing so illegal entirely, eg. do not sell the product to begin with. God forbid the Government giving up their tax haven despite claiming how horrible it is for you.

I'm a non smoker and I see what they are trying to do. Have you even played an economy game? Winning is usually based on selling something at the highest possible price that the people would still pay for and cigarettes are an astounding thing because people are willing to pay several hundred percentages off the scale for them. Good news for you is that in reality, overpricing and banning of addictive items always causes illegal activity to sprout up, which means the market gets flooded with cheaper product, which eventually means that prices drop simply because they have to keep up.

Bourne:

whoops1995:

Bourne:
The newest law they are attempting to pass is no smoking in your vehicle with children in said vehicle.

I know i'm taking you out of context here so bare with me. I don't see whats wrong with this law. Second hand smoke isnt very good for children and watching their parents smoke will probably make them more likely to smoke themselves(no sexual references intended) also it's really not safe to drive and smoke, not only do you not have two hands on the wheel but, everytime you exhale smoke, your temporarily blinded. not to mention it's a distraction.

*SNIP*

Now that I come to think about it, if I'm not mistaken, it's actually illegal to smoke and drive here in the U.S I don't if it was passed yet, but i think it has. As you said though, other people arn't as good drivers as you and some lack good judgement( example of bad judgement: well the roads are slick with snow...lets light up while driving!) I see this sort of bad driving and judgement alot in new jersey. I'm guessing they have better drivers in europe because if not how could you have the autobahn. I think this law is appropiate in the states because of the lack of driving skills, but in Europe, I don't know maybe you guys can ahndle smoking and driving.

Well smokers cost money really, when you guys get sick with lung cancer, it costs money. Not to say that it's any better or worse then obesity, which is why I think there should be taxes on junk food. Also, to try to deter you from smoking.

whoops1995:

then again would you really want to be smoking a cigarette while riding kingdom ka. Though i think that smoking in pbulic places is very annoying. For my birthday one time I went to restaurant for dinner, the meal was completely ruined by the amount of people smoking and my clothes smelled for a week. I think that smokers shouldn't have to smoke in a restaurant, they can just smoke after or before. If they really badly had the urge to smoke i don't see the problem in stepping outside. I see it as a common courtesy.

Why'd you go to a restaurant that has a lot of smoking if you knew it'd bug you? I'm assuming there are places where you're from that smoking isn't allowed...why not go to another place if your birthday meal would be ruined by people doing something that is/was legal?

If it bugs you, go somewhere else. There, simple fix.

If anyone is going to counter with, "why should I have to go somewhere else?" Think about that, then think about what it's like to be an adult, and then realize "why should they have to go somewhere else, when I'm unhappy?"

This world would be a better place if people stop pushing their own opinions and ideals on others.

Common courtesy should be a factor outside, where people that are walking past have no control of being near cigarette smoke. Your solution will force more people to deal with cigarette smoke then before.

Cahlee:
Well smokers cost money really, when you guys get sick with lung cancer, it costs money. Not to say that it's any better or worse then obesity, which is why I think there should be taxes on junk food. Also, to try to deter you from smoking.

Yes, smokers cost money. On a side-note, the extra money they're putting into the system far outweighs the amount an individual smoker will remove from the system in the ~20 years of being taxed at %500+.

Alcohol, now that's an expensive drug. That costs the average non-drinker more money than you can imagine. Kills a lot more people, too. Shame it doesn't stink like cigarettes or it'd have been pseudo-banned world-wide, by now.

your moaning about 6 dollars!? thats what, about 4 quid or something, and I guess this is for a pack of 20? thats cheap! try about £5.50 in the UK! so nearly 10 dollars or something around that figure! Plus we get pictures like Canada do on their smokes! except ours are very Bristish so no messed up lungs, just a picture of a bendy cigarette saying "smoking causes impotence"