Really Stocking Up?

[Teninx]

Originally Posted by TideRoll

That some legislators and some citizens in general would do away with it outright or incrementally, I have no doubt whatsoever. That said, legislatures of all stripes simply cannot afford to do away with tobacco. Tobacco taxes pay for too much stuff, and doing away with it incrementally or otherwise would require them to either engage in an activity to which they are notoriously averse (loss allocation) or conduct an activity to which the voting public is frequently opposed (increasing general taxes).

What they are doing is finding alternative ways to suck more money out of this cash cow they have while maintaining the appearance that they actually give a damn about public health; thus re-classifying certain products previously freely used for hundreds of years as the referenced "drug delivery devices." That they are in bed with plaintiff lawyers is assured, and this is yet one more way to withdraw more cash from the bank accounts of those who use tobacco.

So, I do not think as a whole they are intentionally trying to tax or regulate it out of existence. The end result may in fact be something resembling it, but they see a pot of money to be had either as politicians or as attorneys, and they are pursuing that pot. The smart ones do not want to kill the goose that is laying the golden eggs, they only want to bleed it regularly. It is really just one more argument in favor of limited government.

You know what the conclusion is going to be, if the FDA has to regulate tobacco as a delivery device? The conclusion is going to be that no cigarette, cigar or can of snuff can safely deliver nicotine to the user as they are now used. What other conclusion could the FDA draw? "Oh, all this lcancer talk is just overblown?" So our stogies won't be banned...they'll be recalled as unsafe. We'll get them back when the tobacco companies figure out how to make a cigar that we don't have to light and that doesn't produce toxic smoke.

[schweiger_schmoke]

Originally Posted by khubli

Personally, I don't want to stock up now on what I may or may not like in the future. I'll continue to purchase based on what I think are good bargains.

If this bill passes into law, then I'll have to examine my smoking habits at that time.

Stocking up now reminds me of those people in the south that 'stock' up on bread and milk when the weather threatens half an inch of snow.

Nice analogy.

Dem' darn hillbillies!

[Teninx]

Originally Posted by papajohn67

I'm with you. Thinking of purchasing a large Costco Cooler and going shopping for my favorites. Sitting on 1500 + sticks right now. I think the only reason I have not done it at this point is it's only been a few years since I got back into cigars. Now than I'm comfortable that I can take care of them properly then why the hell not? Perhaps President Bush can put the veto pen to any of this nonsense but who's to say the next bunch who run the Country won't try again. I've seen the wrting on the wall here in the State of Washington, were easy targets and IMHO they have us smack dab in their gun sights.

Anyway if I kick the bucket sitting on a mountain of cigars my wife can toss some of my favorites in when they fire me up and I can go out with a . The remainders can be given away to other BOTL or she can sell them and have a nice nest egg to join other Left Coast-ers with her daily Latte and wine out of a box.

Please put me in your will!

[RHNewfie]

Great input everyone, thanks!!!

[jmcrawf1]

Originally Posted by Silound

The short stick here is, if such an outrageous piece of legislation passes, then I will more than likely smoke my remaining 1300 or so sticks, and then find a new pleasure hobby that costs less.

[qwerty1500]

Originally Posted by Bigga Petey

I'll just move in with Klugs.

... Okay, not an option.

Well then, let's see ... stock up on gasoline or cigars? Really don't think they are going to outlaw gasoline ... so, I pick cigars.

Two cigars a day, 365 days a year, maybe live another 30 years (don't want to quit just because I'm REAL old ... counting on this as a pleasure in my old age), 25 cigars per box, $250 per box (hey, I'm stocking up and yes, I have expensive tastes) ...

$219,000.00

The wife is gonna be pissed.

Damn martinis ...

[jmcrawf1]

Originally Posted by qwerty1500

... Okay, not an option.

Well then, let's see ... stock up on gasoline or cigars? Really don't think they are going to outlaw gasoline ... so, I pick cigars.

Two cigars a day, 365 days a year, maybe live another 30 years (don't want to quit just because I'm REAL old ... counting on this as a pleasure in my old age), 25 cigars per box, $250 per box (hey, I'm stocking up and yes, I have expensive tastes) ...

$219,000.00

The wife is gonna be pissed.

Damn martinis ...

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by Dux

I already have enough smokes to last me a few years
But this might push me to buy 1 or 2 boxes sooner rather than later.

I really dont think the new bill will float but you never know these days

ditto

[nismo350z]

Originally Posted by qwerty1500

... Okay, not an option.

Well then, let's see ... stock up on gasoline or cigars? Really don't think they are going to outlaw gasoline ... so, I pick cigars.

Two cigars a day, 365 days a year, maybe live another 30 years (don't want to quit just because I'm REAL old ... counting on this as a pleasure in my old age), 25 cigars per box, $250 per box (hey, I'm stocking up and yes, I have expensive tastes) ...

$219,000.00

The wife is gonna be pissed.

Damn martinis ...

thats great, 2nd mortgage?

[CCCigar]

I propose they legalize weed. Tax it and leave us alone!

[ResIpsa]

Originally Posted by RHNewfie

I know that there have been a lot of threads lately about this proposed tax on cigars ($10 per) but are people really stocking up? I am honestly asking cause I want to know if I should start...

you live in canada. why would you need to stock up?

[omowasu]

Its one of those ironies that is lost on many folks that as items become more expensive, demand decreases, people lose jobs/businesses, etc. Taxes accelerate this process, but in the end the government will lose as revenues decline in the long term.

It makes sense to add a few more boxes to the order at this time. During the embargo, most B&Ms and smokers did not stock up thinking that it would be temporary or that it wouldnt happen. Here we are decades later... I wouldnt put that type of tax past our current congress.

Never mind the issues of paying for someone else's health insurance in addition to your own (and that of your children). Socialism is creeping into our lives day by day...

[tuneman07]

I'm not worried- the thing about the government is that they will push and push and push attempting to milk every penny out of something but when it really really starts to hurt people these things stop eventually. This is the reason the slippery slope concept is considered a fallacy- the slope only goes until things get too rediculous then it stops. This will nearly instantly put a lot of businesses out of business- this is obvious, and I just don't think the government will do it in the end. Also worst case scenario as someone mentioned already there is always overseas and canada. The internet shall be our savior IMO as that is one thing the government can't really get a hold of thank god.

[texasbadbob]

We are the people. This sort of stupid tax will only pass if we let it. Instead of spending your time stocking up, use that time calling and e-mailing your Representatives to make them stop! Live free or die hard.

[kas]

Originally Posted by jmcrawf1

double ditto.