Tobacco tax hike to close Utah's oldest smoke shop

[Soulmanure]

This seems a bit insane--an 86 percent tax? All in all, I think there should be a distinction between cigarette and cigar taxes:

Cigars ? The tax increases from 35 percent of the manufacturers' sale price to 86 percent, making the rate the highest in the nation, followed by Alaska at 75 percent and Washington at 74.9 percent (Washington, however, is considering a 500 percent increase on tobacco).
Cigarettes ? Utah's current tax is 69.5 cents per pack, but will increase to $1.70 per pack. Once the increase takes effect, Utah will have the 18th highest tax in the nation, and a higher rate than every neighboring state except Arizona.
Source ? Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids, National Conference of State Legislatures

http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_14697685

[Simon-JG-hr]

You've got to remember that Utah is run by a bunch of religious loons. I was offerred an exchange opportunity (for one year) in Salt Lake City once... I politely declined. Despite the excellent skiing, I'd have been driven completely bonkers by the strange laws passed, in a 'secular' country (though that in itself is laughable), to appease the crazy local elders...

[Soulmanure]

Too true,
though this point doesn't apply to Washington or Alaska, methinks. My guess is collapsing state budgets are also contributing to this.

[eggopp]

Whatever the reasons, its a blinkin outrage..

[JoeyC]

It is outrageous, you don't see them taxing fast food, thats doing more harm than tobacco.

[larrysputnik]

Just write a letter to Bill Hendrickson. "Build With Bill" He cares about the rights of all polygamists.

[Rocco]

that is just sad. I also heard that if you purchase cigars from other states, you need to inform your state department if the vendor does not impose any tax. WTF. Land of the free, home of the brave. Like in Canada, and the U.K, governments are taxing anything tobacco, regardless of the impact between cigarette and cigar smokers. When will these politicians, who are elected by us, show us some respect. They can all go to Hell, those bunch of wankers.