Poll: 75% in S.C. want cigarette tax hike

Anti-smoking advocates have released a poll showing that three quarters of state voters favor raising the state's lowest-in-the  nation cigarette tax - and a majority favor spending the money on health care.

The poll of 500 likely voters was conducted by Virginia-based firm Public Opinion Strategies in December.

The poll also found there was almost no difference in support between raising the tax by 50 cents or by 93 cents a pack. Lawmakers have said raising the cigarette tax will be a top legislative issue. There is general agreement to raise the tax, but disagreement about how to spend the revenue.

Last year lawmakers approved a 50 cent a pack increase but could not override a gubernatorial veto.

Comments

[Walt]

We should tax these non smokers for the extra fat they drag around and for their empty space in their heads

[T.]

I didn't vote for or participate in this "poll of anti-smoking advocates" Why not make it fair and poll the same amount of smokers? Of course anti-smokers would like an increase, they're ANTI. Polls are always biased, because they are looking for one specific outcome.

[JD Todd]

It should be put up for a vote.
If you increase the tax on tobacco then a tax increase should be put on alcohol as well. Put one on obese people, illegals and queers too. As these are the ones that really cause the greatest drain on health care.

[JD Todd]

How did a poll of 500 equal out to 75% of the state.

[Don R]

Why tax one segment of society and put the money into the health care budget that's full of fraud and abuse. That's right, no one has the nerve or the you know what to do anything about it. You would lose voters. I have an idea....lets tax people for being obese. What a concept!!! Just look around the state of South Carolina....you'll have a surplus of millions of dollars. Oh thats right, that would also take some gonads which none of our jellyfish politicians have.

[D]

Isn't it great that smokers have been banned from smoking in restaurants, any public business, in the workplace, and sometimes even outdoors by non-smokers who surely do no wrong and now we should pay higher taxes to smoke to support health care programs that in some cases are helping people who can't/don't/won't work but won't help taxpaying people willing to help themselves. What a joke!

[Lee Muller]

Of the $200,000,000 in annual Tobacco Settlement money (which is a tax reflected in the price of cigarettes) and the 7-cent SC tax, only $2,500,000 was spent on health and anti-smoking propaganda. The rest of the money was diverted from "the children" to the pork.

[Kitty Taylor]

This is a huge form of discrimination. If we are going to raise the tax on cigarettes, then how about all of the fast food places? Obesity is a bigger health risk than smoking. It's not like the increased taxes will go to pay for smoking related illnesses. This money will go to pay for health care for those who don't pay any taxes to start with, much less carry insurance.

[Rang]

As always, those who are opposed to the notion of a reasonable tax increase on cigarettes want to talk about other issues, such as obesity or alcohol, to de-rail a necessary debate. Others want to question the poll results by mis-representing the facts from the article (the poll was taken from likely voters- not non-smokers, Walt). For once, it would be interesting to read posts from readers who are able to remain on topic and have the willingness to discuss both the costs and benefits of this tax. No one can dispute the fact that cigarette smoking (through first, second, and even third hand smoke) has a serious negative impact on the health of South Carolinians. Because of the ridiculously low tax, the costs associated with health care are unfairly passed on to non-smokers through higher health care costs. We have a Governor who clings more to ideology than practical solutions to obvious problems, so we remain at the bottom of all states in most measurable categories.

[JJ]

This new tax money will be put in coffers for health care--sure! and our Lottery is spent on Education--sure! then why do our taxes keep going up to Fund Education?!?

[Todd]

It’s embarrassing that we only charge 7 cents on the dollar as a cigarette tax. Come on people. We’re not saying tax the hell out of smokers, but 7 cents is ridiculously low.

[Linda Heath]

Shame on all of you. An anti-smokers poll. What did we expect? Smokers have been treated like criminals for the past how many years? Yet, the non smoking restaurants and bars have no problem taking our money. Our employers have no problem making us stand out in the cold or rain to smoke, because we are looked upon less as humans because we smoke. Not that smoking just started, it was probably one of the first vices started thousands of years ago. I refuse to patronize restaurants and bars that do not allow me to smoke. I refuse to work for an employer that would send me outside in the cold and rain to smoke.
I will not benefit any of these people who chose to take my rights away. Do non smokers have a right to non smoking areas? Yes, just the same as smokers are entitled to smoking areas in the same buildings. Non smokers continue to show their contempt for smokers by wanting to raise taxes on smokers. What gives them the right? Apparently we do, because we have done nothing but sit back, take it, and complain. Is there no law firm in this country willing to stand up for people in this country whose rights have been taken away, and are treated like second class citizens. How many drinkers have killed innocent people on our streets and highways where the innocents were never given a choice? This continues daily. All we ask is that consideration is given to us in restaurants and bars and that we have a well ventilated section to smoke. We ask that our employers give us a warm ventilated or airconditioned place to smoke. We are no different than you who choose to over eat, or drink alcohoic beverages. So if you want to single us out for tax increases, ask yourself why is our vices any worse than the next person.

[pontiacgirl]

We should raise our tax so we are in line with everyone else; we should be encouraging people not to start to smoke to begin with because smoking can lead to health problems years down the line.

To the first poster, I'm sure there are countless overweight smokers too; that was mean and disrespectful to overweight nonsmokers!

[laura]

i pay for my own healthcare thank you very much. so dont raise my cigs!!!

keep government out of it!

[saxman]

I am always embarassed when a national news agency reports that we have the lowest cigarette tax in the US. Smoking is a choice, so don't tell me you're being discriminated against. If you don't want to pay this tax, DON"T SMOKE! I say tax 'em big time and put the money towards education or health care or ANYTHING. The fact that our governor vetoed this tax shows how incompotent he is.

[Pete]

The fact that South Carolina has the lowest taxes on cigarettes in the nation is an embarassment. It means that smokers are not paying anywhere near as much in taxes as they cost in extra health care and lost productivity caused by smoking related illnesses.

[john]

I don't smoke but I would like to say...STOP RAISING OUR TAXES! Politicians look for new ways to raise our taxes and this is just one example. I think a pack of cigatettes is taxed alot higher than 7 cents a pack. Cigarette smokers trying to "derail" the topic are doing nothing else but defending the fact that they are being singled out for yet another new tax. Why not bring up obesity, fatty foods and alcohol since the argument is being made that cigarettes taxes should be raised to offset the health costs associated. I think the same argument could be made non-drinkering, thin, athletic people who eat wisely are having health care costs passed on to them. How is that any different?
The point should be...STOP RAISING OUR TAXES. If our govenment has less money coming in...CUT BACK ON SPENDING. That's what I've had to do the last year as my business has slowed.

[jelly bean]

I'll just start buying from the Indian reservation online..ha , I beat you all again!

[shelly]

I say take the tax off the cigeretts altogether and place a HUGE tax on toilet paper as I would like to say EVERYONE uses TOILET paper and therfore that is where the GOVERMENT would GET the most tax income. I knew I should have ran for President this past time around. I can save the taxpayers megga money with superb results for this economy except for when it would be time to buy the TOILET paper of course!!! By the way them non smokers are farting and poluting the air us smokers are breathing. It is nasty and should also be taxed by the balloon full and I think that is only fair as it singles out the non smoker just as the non smokers are singling out the smokers. ENOUGH SAID>>>TAX TOILET PAPER!!!

[Ray]

Taxes are very unfair any taxes.but to discriminate against one segment of our society is totally ridiculous.we dont have any problem solvers at the state house only greedy politicians.you cant spend money you dont have so just maybe you need to get rid of some of the high dollar jobs in state an local government .we have elected officials in lexington county who make more than our governor does.If people want health insurance let them work an pay for it like i have to.

[Terry]

I look at it from this perspective, I feel that the tax on cigerettes is only going to hurt the poor the most, seeing how it is an addiction they will forgo other things to keep smoking, meaning there will be an increase in crime. Also the increase would actually not produce the revenues they expect due to the number of smokers who would either quit or find another means of getting cigerettes. I have to agree with some of the posters, More poeple die in this country from drunk drivers, from being overweight,eating to much fatty foods. Our biggest health care drain is all those illegal aliens getting FREE medical care. FREE education. How much money could we safe if we shut them off from the FREE ride we are giving them. Also how about the court cost to send them back to where they caame from. I say no court, just ship their butts ssouth of the border.

[Ed]

I am not sure I am really reading what I think I am reading. It is not discrimination. It is not going to the poor anymore than the middle class or the rich. It's not the equivalent of toilet paper. Smoking kills people or causes severe medical conditions with long-term consequences and costs. It harms third-parties who choose not to smoke but who have to breathe second-hand smoke or third-hand smoke. It causes problems among kids who have no choice. Raising taxes is a deterrent to smoking and can be used to offset the overwhelming health costs associated with it. It is idiotic to tax such a vice at .07 when such a vice costs our state so much money.

[richard]

why do we get on the blogs and voice our opinions?why dont we organize like the motorcycle-helmet people and do something about things?they dont want you to quit smoking they want your money.they want more abortions,more drinking,more sex,legal drugs,less god,more illegal immigration,no guns,no bibles,no fishing,no hunting,and brag about less white people.but for god sakes you got to quit smoking.{land of the free,home of the brave}and please dont ask and dont tell.

[BDSloat]

SC would do well to create an Obesity tax the same as the Governor of New York has done recently.

[Mark Smith]

You guys are idiots. Smoking is repugnant and, unlike overeating, affects the health of everyone around you. The fat guy eating a burger by me in a restaurant ain't running up my cholesterol. And I'm sorry you can't stop, but you're dying at an alarming rate and that costs money.