Philadelphia Will Do  
 

Jan

30

Rendell: 10-Cent Tax Hike For Cigs

Pony up, smokers! Ed Rendell wants a 10-cent tax hike on packs of cigarettes.

Governor Rendell has long been advocating for a tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco products. But now, as he tries to figure out how to plug a $2-billion-plus hole in the state’s budget, spokesman Chuck Ardo says Rendell will also propose increasing the cigarette tax by ten cents a pack:

“I think it’s in response to the economic crisis and the fact that smokers cost the commonwealth a significant amount of money in health-related expenses.”

Yeah, but think how much the state saves from the calmed nerves of smokers. On the plus side for the cigarette smokers in the state, at least every pack they buy will be stimulating the economy. (Rendell’s office says the tax could raise somewhere around $50 million.)

As usual, the new tax will hurt poor smokers the most, but nobody cares about them.

Rendell Wants 10¢-per-Pack Hike in Penna. Cigarette Tax [KYW 1060]

Photo by Valerie Everett used under a Creative Commons license
 
dmac | 3:44 PM | 4 Comments
Cigarettes, Ed Rendell, Tax Hikes
 
  1. R. M. Says: Jan 30 4:43 PM

    Here is an idea - $1000 fine for those smoking in public. That would generate way more revenue.

  2. Dan Says: Jan 30 5:33 PM

    Because people pay fines, right? :P

  3. mike nelson Says: Jan 31 6:32 PM

    Poorer smokers cost the rest of us even more in health-related costs.
    They are less likely to have insurance and delay getting care till it’s really costly to treat them.
    We all end up paying for their addiction in a bigger way.

  4. Eryaman Dershane Says: Feb 18 10:07 PM

    Dayi lutfen kusura bakma

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