Wednesday was Decision Day for many people who smoke cigarettes. That was the day that federal cigarette taxes were raised by 62 cents a pack. In Kansas, that means that a carton of cigarettes now costs almost $50.
At Graves Drugs on Tuesday afternoon, the cigarette shelves up near the front of the store were nearly emptied as people scrambled to buy cartons at the old prices.
The sudden rise in taxes may have accomplished what gradual increases in cigarette prices have not — get smokers to confront the true cost of the habit. Stop thinking of it as a pack-a-day habit. Think of it as a habit that costs you $5 a day, $150 a month or $1,800 a year. That is a scary thought in these times of stagnant wages and economic uncertainty.
And Kansas smokers have it relatively easy. Because the state tax on cigarettes is not that high, the cost of a pack here is still far below that in other states. In New York today, the price of a pack went over $9.
It is no wonder that USA Today reported Wednesday morning that there has been, nationwide, a sharp increase in the number of calls to stop-smoking help lines. It is not easy to quit smoking, but when the choice is between smoking and balancing the family budget, facing the prospect of quitting seems much easier.
Will this week’s sticker shock at the tobacco counter make a difference in next week’s vote on the Emporia smoking ban? Probably not. The opponents of the ban have framed their campaign as one defending property rights, rather than as one favoring smoking. The supporters of the ban have not argued that the ordinance would stop people from smoking, only that it would stop them from blowing smoke in other peoples’ faces.
What the tax has done is make it likely that in the next few weeks there will be fewer people in Emporia who smoke and that those who still smoke will be smoking less.
The trend on smoking is clear. As Emporia prepares to vote on its own smoking ordinance, the Kansas Senate has revived its proposal for a statewide ban on smoking in public places. The ban is not likely to pass this year, but it will, eventually. Along with this social pressure, smokers now face increased economic pressure. That pressure will only increase. The day may come when the only people who can afford to feed a cigarette habit will be Wall Street executives on the bonus list.
Why hang on until the last puff? Better to quit now on your own terms, save money and find a healthier and less expensive habit.
There is help for people who want to quit smoking. For information on cessation programs, call the Newman Regional Health cardiopulmonary department at 343-6800, Ext. 1300, or the Kansas Tobacco Quitline at (866) 526-7867.
Vote as you like on Tuesday, but quit smoking now.
Patrick S. Kelley
Editorial Page Editor
Happiness09 (anonymous) says...
See ya at the Reservation!
April 2, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Hey Patrick, Have you quit yet?
Steve
April 2, 2009 at 4:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
"It is not easy to quit smoking, but when the choice is between smoking and balancing the family budget, facing the prospect of quitting seems much easier."
Uhhh---smoking is one of MANY expensive habits that are harmful to a family budget. Take gambling, for instance. You know, that thing that the State of Kansas wants everyone to participate in for hour upon hour---even while smoking indoors??? How about drinking? Shopping? Porn? I have seen families fall apart from each of the things I listed, but I have never seen one fall apart over smoking.
One would think that cigarette smoke is some sort of pandemic the way people are acting about it. I am disappointed in people I know and people I don't, that they despise an element so drastically that they are hateful and vengeful toward smokers instead of choosing to CONTINUE to peacefully coexist.
People are expected to self-segregate for a number of reasons. I believe all but one of the items on my above list to be very unhealthy, but I am expected to keep myself away from places where people who disagree with me or don't care can indulge in one or more of these. I am expected to NOT try to force my "health" beliefs on any of them--especially leaving the government out of it--even if I can provide indisputable evidence of its harmfulness. Why are people reacting so malevolently to something they can avoid as easily as I avoid it and a long list of other items? I am able to go to most places in town, in fact, and avoid all these things that I believe to be harmful and unhealthy on many levels.
I just don't understand this malice.
April 2, 2009 at 4:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Bjnemp (anonymous) says...
How unfair and discriminatory. If more taxes are needed for wasteful government spending, shouldn't the burden be spread among the entire populace instead of a targeted few?
This malicious, vindictive, and punitive tax won't take food off my family's table. It will, however, take food off someone's table. What was recently a $180.00 per month indulgence for me has now become a $300.00 hardship. Say goodbye to donations to the Salvation Army, the church, United Way, March of Dimes, Girl Scouts, and others.
I won't stop smoking; I enjoy it. I will stop giving away funds I now don't have, and will spend less in Emporia businesses and restaurants out of necessity. There's some liberal stimulus for you.
Thanks, Obama. By the way: didn't you promise "a tax cut for 95% of Americans?" I guess I am just one of the 100% of Americans who fall into that 5% group you intend to tax into poverty during your new socialist regime.
April 2, 2009 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
driveonby (anonymous) says...
Smokers are the ones who usually buy a Kansas Lottery ticket at the convenience stores. That money was supposed to go to schools. Most of it goes into all the different cards, and to the management of the Lottery. Didn't help schools much, did it? Have any of you looked at the payroll of the Kansas Health Policy Authority? Ten pages of employees.
Top three make over $110,000.00 per year. Rest of the first two pages are people making $75,000 to $99,000 per year. Do you not understand WHERE the money for our health care is going? Overpaid government employees are eating it up! Paid vacations, paid sick days, days off, cheap health insurance for THEM, retirement funds for THEM. Maybe we should appreciate small business owners a little more. THEY are the ones footing the bill for the OVERSPENDING in Topeka and Washington. The new federal SCHIP tax on tobacco is supposed to fund poor families, making up to $80,000.00 per year, for their children's health insurance. I don't make half that and I pay my own health insurance. Maybe a 25 cent per can tax on pop, and I can get free insurance too. And food stamps. And low rent housing. WHY the heck am I bothering to work?????
April 3, 2009 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pkelley (Pat Kelley) says...
Nope, Steve, I haven't quit smoking yet, but I'll be quitting soon. Should have quit when cigarettes went over 25 cents a pack.
April 3, 2009 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Well, Good Luck, Pat.
I hope you are successful. You might consider the new electronic smokes, I've heard they help stop the addiction cycle.
Steve
April 3, 2009 at 8:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Bj, check your next paystub. I had a little more in my last check due to federal tax cuts. You have to make less than $70,000 a year to get a tax break is my understanding. I certainly fall in that category!
I was surprised to see that Mr. Kelly smokes considering how anti-smoking his editorial came across. A little strange.
April 3, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
intheknow (anonymous) says...
The extra money in your checks might seem great now, but on the news (channel 4 KC) said that just means that you will have to pay it back at the end of the year in your taxes... Not really a good exchange in my book!
April 3, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mwilliams (anonymous) says...
I think they will definately be sticking it to you at the end of the year. My check had no federal w/h taken out becuase of the change. I will be changing my witholdings becuase I'm not going to get stuck.
April 3, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
The tax breaks do sound nifty neato at first but as said before you will have to pay eventually. The government can't spend like never before and expect us to believe that they can cut taxes at the same time. What do they think we are, stupid? Oh yeah. Never mind.
April 3, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ksgram (anonymous) says...
Vote NO
and put an end to the ignorance, intolerance & hate. Greed has nothing to do with it unless you call free interprise greed.
April 3, 2009 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pragmatic1 (anonymous) says...
Luckily, ridiculously high tobacco taxes (and smoking bans) don't affect me (even though I smoke a pack a day) anymore since I switched to electronic cigarettes! E-cigarettes are much MUCH safer than regular cigarettes, and you can smoke them anywhere cigarettes are banned (bars, restaurants, even airplanes)!
I found this blog that helped me figure out which brand of e-cigarette I should buy. If you're considering switching over, I hope this page helps you like it helped me:
http://www.greensmokesblog.com
And here are some videos with information about how e-cigs work:
http://www.youtube.com/healthysmokes
April 3, 2009 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77flint (anonymous) says...
Steve would know, he so smart!
April 3, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
josiesbar (anonymous) says...
"That was the day that federal cigarette taxes were raised by 62 cents a pack. In Kansas, that means that a carton of cigarettes now costs almost $50."
Man, next time you would think they could use a little lube!
April 3, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
driveonby (anonymous) says...
From a flag waving, apple pie munching, mama respecting, two stepping, good ole country girl....Vote NO
I really don't go for socialism, or hypocrites, or liars. Y'all give a REALLY big welcome to that Barnett fellow tomorrow. Show him the respect he has shown YOU!
April 3, 2009 at 10:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
April 4, 2009 at 12:15 a.m. ( permalink )