UPDATE - NJ BOTL: Proposed Cigar Tax hike from 30% to 90%!

[Dick Leighton]

For those who live in NJ, Halfwheel published this story:
http://halfwheel.com/bill-seeks-to-triple-new-jerseys-cigar-tax/104705?utm_content=buffer2bcf2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Once again this industry is bombarded with unreasonable regulation and taxation. Bills A1815 and S284 want to raise the tax rate to 90%.
If you live in NJ, please take a moment to write to your local representative. Took me only 5 minutes!

Bill sponsors:
Sen. Joseph Vitale http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/bio.asp?Leg=175
Sen. Loretta Weinberg http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/bio.asp?Leg=260

If anyone has more ideas on how to fight this, please post up.

 

[LFOD]

that's just asinine
hell the 30% tax is asinine!!

 

[ChuckMejia]

In the end all they're trying to do is put the small cigar shops out of business as most consumers will just order online(Shoutout to smallbatch).

 

[Ralemonds1s]

"Money raised from the increase would go to the Department of Health’s “Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Fund,” which funds smoking and tobacco use cessation programs in the state."
Oh blow me.

 

[Bondo 440]

Discraceful that's all these people know how to do.

 

[Dick Leighton]

In the end all they're trying to do is put the small cigar shops out of business as most consumers will just order online(Shoutout to smallbatch).

Exactly. That's the only effect this will have. Pushes consumers to online orders. Good luck regulating the tax on that one.

 

[Mr. McSquirelly]

Exactly. That's the only effect this will have. Pushes consumers to online orders. Good luck regulating the tax on that one.

Welcome to California! We pay 97% tax on cigars. Such awful legislation only really hurts the B&Ms in your local town. They are forced to raise prices, and consumers are forced to purchase cigars on-line. In a few years there won't be any B&Ms around, and that's what these asshole politicians want. In San Francisco, there's 3 B&Ms within city limits. Our population is roughly 800,000 people: 3 B&Ms for 800,000 people!!! Welcome to 97% tobacco tax. Luckily for CA residents, most Arizona online stores will ship same day if you order before 2 pm, and orders over $150 ship free. They have no cigar tax in Arizona, I believe. In your neck of the woods, I think New Hampshire and Connecticut have very low cigar taxes. So you may look to online retailers in those states. Bottom line, these taxes only hurt B&Ms. Local B&Ms in New Jersey should come together and form an action committee to fight the legislation, but at the end of the day these scumbag politicians play on the fears of parents who worry for their children's health. At this point, I use the few B&Ms in town to sample a cigar; if I like it, then I'm forced to buy fivers, tens, and boxes from Arizona retailers. Here's an idea of the cigar tax out here. Ashton Symmetry are $10.50 per single at my Phoenix retailer. At my local B&M in San Francisco, they are $20.50! FUGGETABOUTIT!

 

[Nacho Daddy]

"Money raised from the increase would go to the Department of Health’s “Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Fund,” which funds smoking and tobacco use cessation programs in the state."
Oh blow me.

Just as the Lottery $$ is to go to education....
and the schips tax for medical treatment for children of deadbeat daddies.....
All lies......

Thank God Pennsylvania has no tax.........

 

[ChuckMejia]

Just as the Lottery $$ is to go to education....

If I remember correctly that might be true in some states... I think @Iholmes went thru college for free 99.

 

[Smoqman]

Welcome to my world - 96% cigar tax with a cap of $3.50 PER CIGAR.

 

[Mickeymorris626]

It's not right anyway you slice it. Moron "officials" with moron constituents. I haven't purchased a cigar in MN besides the occasional HERF in my life. Never will either. I'll go 30 miles into Wisconsin and have taxes of 32% that caps at $.50 per stick. Eat a %#@ MN

 

[Iholmes]

If I remember correctly that might be true in some states... I think @Iholmes went thru college for free 99.

Lottery paid tuition, I paid for the rest!

 

[ChuckMejia]

Lottery paid tuition, I paid for the rest!

Must be nice.

 

[herfdog]

In the end all they're trying to do is put the small cigar shops out of business as most consumers will just order online(Shoutout to smallbatch).

Wait till they put an excise tax like we have in Canada. Even online stores are complicated.

 

[ChuckMejia]

Wait till they put an excise tax like we have in Canada. Even online stores are complicated.

Nah bro we won't be going full retard like Canada no prob

 

[herfdog]

Nah bro we won't be going full retard like Canada no prob

Tell that to the FDA, because I think they look up north with envy

 

[OtismyMan]

Bill sponsors both democrats...figures...take from those that have and give to those that are too lazy to work

 

[Ralemonds1s]

The way I see it.... We see the cigar industry booming.... They see a lucrative opportunity..

 

[Mr. McSquirelly]

Instead of taxing cigars at 90%, tax Coca Cola 500% for sugar drinks. The only thing I see kids doing in my hood after school, is going to Korean corner stores and sucking down soda and eating junk food and candy bars. Parents should be more concerned about soda and junk food than cigars.

 

[Dick Leighton]

So perhaps a glimmer of hope. In my fit of outrage yesterday, I wrote to my local representative (and many others) and he had this to say:

Thank you for your thoughts. This legislation has not progressed in the
past several sessions and I don't see it moving forward any time soon.

Senator Kip Bateman

So that's good. For now.