I'm glad I don't live in Utah

[DBCcigar]

What BS!

The minors will just get their older friends to buy for them. They can't keep a lot of kids off drugs and drinking alcohol. What makes them think a *ucking vending machine and no Internet buying is going to keep them from getting what they want?!?

[stfoley]

Here's what gets me.

To buy tobacco online, you need a credit card. CCs are not issued to minors.

So either the kid uses their parent's card (which they will be busted for), or the parent buys it for them, or they get another adult to buy it for them...either way it's a straw purchase and already illegal under current laws.

So why the F*** is there another law added for this? One that does nothing to slow down the underage smoker (who usually just steals their smokes anyways), but screws things up entirely for the law-abiding folks?

Something tells me they are planning a huge tax hike at the state level and are doing this to assure nobody buys out of state to avoid taxation.

[wescoaststogie]

shouldn't be surprised what goes on in Utah considering the history of how much control the Mormon church has over everything that goes on in that state.

which is absolutely fine with me in fact, i believe in State's rights, and don't think the FEDS should be dictating every aspect of our lives. the freedom to choose to live where you want is a wonderful thing.

[Sweet_Cigars]

Originally Posted by Vinnie

Easy enough, we will all have to adopt a BOTL from Utah and have their product shipped to our place and then on to them. A pain, but thats what family does.
Our AG in Wahington wants the same law passed, I may be asking someday myself.
Vinnie

If it comes to this I am down with helping out as many BOTL's as I can.

[golfermd]

Originally Posted by wescoaststogie

which is absolutely fine with me in fact, i believe in State's rights, and don't think the FEDS should be dictating every aspect of our lives. the freedom to choose to live where you want is a wonderful thing.

Watch out, the thought police in the current administration may come after you. Unless you are a member of select groups your personal rights are subject to reduction at any moment...

[orca99usa]

Think it could be the Mormon influence??

Bingo. The Church of Latter Day Saints pretty much owns Utah and dictates what happens there. They don't have the most enlightened laws on the planet. I enjoy visiting there, but I believe I'll continue to live in Nevada.

[wescoaststogie]

Originally Posted by golfermd

Watch out, the thought police in the current administration may come after you. Unless you are a member of select groups your personal rights are subject to reduction at any moment...

i know, it is truly sad that the libertarian viewpoint which directly follows the constitution, is considered so ridiculous as to barely even get a laugh anymore

am curious to see what the amero is going to be made of, mira gusto stainless ey?

[Nickerson]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

They're trying to prevent underage smoking...but they have tobacco vending machines?

HAHA, exactly my thoughts. Haven't seen those for 18 years in Massachusetts.

[Slowpokebill]

I don't think you can totally blame the Mormon church here...but many in the state do believe that smoking is a horrible sin.

Also, this isn't really about protecting the kids ... as always they use that as a good excuse.

This is all about taxes. They don't want to miss a penny; so, they want people buying in state and paying the taxes.

For me buying online isn't so much about beating the tax. For me it is about getting things I can't get. The nearest B&M is a 140 mile round trip drive. Their selection could be better. The other downside to the local B&Ms is they tend to rape and pillage when it comes to pricing.

There is a little warning here for everyone. Remember "it is about protecting kids" plays everywhere and all the states want those taxes. This legislation could be coming to a state near you.

[benjamin]

any utah BOTL's who want to order from the internet, i volunteer to be yer proxy

[dj1340]

I lived in Ogden, Ut for 3 years a long time ago and at times thought there was a time warp. Many of the laws are still in effect today with only 3.2 beer and the liquor laws. Remember going into a bar with a bottle in a brown bag. You order a coke for Example for a mixure and they charged me $1.
Beautiful state but still have very different ideas about things.
It's their thing I guess.

[Slowpokebill]

Here is a link to the new law. Ouch! the penalty is up to $5k. The good is there is no money appropriated to enforce the law. More bad is it looks like they are most likely to go after the dealers than the buyer. So, I hope some of the dealers will be willing to ignore the new law and continue business as usual when it comes to shipping to Utah.

http://le.utah.gov/~2009/bills/sbillenr/sb0228.pdf

[longburn]

Now wait....it said the bill would limit smokers to buying from retail stores and VENDING MACHINES??!!

Soooo,,since when does a vending machine stop underage smokers? Why can't they just come out and say it,......they don't like giving up the taxes from the tobacco sales.

[Slowpokebill]

This bill has nothing to do with keeping kids from buying tabacco products (that just an easy way to sell the bill) it has everything to do with collecting tax from internet sales. The states hate that they don't collect sales and other taxes when people buy products online. More than once the Utah legislation has talked about making out of state businesses pay sales tax on internet purchases being shipped into the state.

I guess if you can't force those busnisses to collect and pay tax then you can make it illegal to sale and ship the product into the state.

This law would go away tomorrow if the companies selling tabacco online said they would charge, collect and pay the state taxes.

It is always about the money.