Spokane7
62°
April 14, 2010 in City
Washington tax may send smokers east
Extra $1 doesn’t sit well with tobacco users
Washington’s cigarette tax hike is “job security in my eyes,” said Kendall Shedd, who works at the Seltice Way Stop ’N Go in Stateline.kathypl@spokesman.com
(Full-size photo)
Cigarettes soon will cost about $8 a pack as Washington legislators add another $1 in taxes.
The higher state taxes – which brings the total on every pack to $3 – is part of the recently adopted plan to raise $800 million and close the budget gap without cutting more programs and state jobs.
Some Spokane smokers say the legislation may turn them into scofflaws.
“I just might have to start driving to Idaho,” said Anna, who works in finance at a downtown Spokane business and asked that her last name not be disclosed. She is miffed by the higher taxes on something she says she enjoys as a recreational activity.
“The state isn’t interested in protecting my health,” she said. “They just want my money. It’s unfair.”
Other smokers say the latest sales tax hike unfairly targets the poor and minorities.
Data from the Spokane Regional Health District notes that while the adult smoking rates have dropped, the proportion of those who continue to light up is higher among the poor and less educated.
And despite years of education and thousands of dollars spent trying to curb youth smoking, the rate of young smokers had risen to 13 percent between 2004 and 2008.
For Candice Lyons, cigarettes are a better vice than alcohol and drugs. Lyons, who is in her 30s, is a recovering addict, homeless and unemployed.
“I’d like to quit, but right now, smoking helps me cope with the stress of just trying to get by,” she said. “I already donate plasma just so we can get cigarettes.”
Smokers have been banned from bars and restaurants, turned out of office buildings and now can’t puff within 25 feet of a door. It’s turned them into social pariahs, Lyons said.
Businesses that shun state rules are investigated, warned and ultimately fined.
The health district last month announced plans to add a part-time employee in anticipation of investigating an extra 40 complaints against businesses a month.
The law against smoking in public places has been in effect for five years and has dropped the number of workers exposed to secondhand smoke by 44 percent in Spokane County.
Anti-smoking laws and the higher taxes are part of the state’s concerted effort to get people to stop smoking.
The legislation raising cigarette taxes has been sent to Gov. Chris Gregoire. The bill would increase taxes on other goods such as cigars and chewing tobacco.
Democrats say the higher taxes may force people to quit smoking. Republicans contend the bill may send people to other states to get their nicotine fix.
Just across the state line in Idaho, where the cigarette tax is about 57 cents a pack, stores offer cigarettes for less than $5 a pack.
Cigarettes brought into Washington from Idaho are considered contraband according to state law.
Outside a downtown Spokane bank building, an employee who didn’t want his name used because he said his wife doesn’t know he smokes, wanted to know if smokers should be rewarded state privileges for their role in balancing the state budget and saving jobs.
“We’re waiting to hear,” he said with a smile as he extinguished a cigarette on a wet sidewalk and then threw the butt into a trash can.
White House honoree boasts roots in Colville 
Another_Perspective on April 14 at 5:23 a.m.
They should earmark those taxes to pay for the health care of smokers.
You smokem…YOU pay for YOUR healthcare.
karl2002 on April 14 at 7:33 a.m.
Let’s not forget the tobacco settlement that added $1-$2 per pack that Gregoire and the state decided to spend to balance the budget.
There is something fundamentally wrong with taxing an item at more than 100% of its cost.
jessiepn on April 14 at 7:53 a.m.
Hmmm – let’s see. If it’s approximately fifteen miles from downtown Spokane to the Idaho state line, and the standard mileage deduction for use of a vehicle is now 55 cents a mile, then a round trip to Idaho to buy cigarettes will cost around $16.50. This doesn’t take into account the value of the driver’s time. Seems to me a smoker would have to be pretty determined to avoid paying those Washington taxes, or else able to stock up on many, many cartons, to make this scenario worthwhile.
Of course, there’s always the plus of the peaceful drive on Interstate 90 through the Spokane valley…
Megan_B on April 14 at 7:56 a.m.
jessiepn…
Exactly! And not to mention this tax is for WASHINGTON STATE not just Spokane. The mileage from Seattle to Idaho would hardly be worth the trip. ;-) There may be a few who buy cigarettes in Idaho, but chances are they will already be headed there for another reason to begin with.
mikeln on April 14 at 8:07 a.m.
So, in this, the land of the free, if I go elsewhere to buy somthing at a better price, I become a crimminal. Exon made a profit of 50 billion and paid no taxes. That’s right, not one penny, nothing for the roads that keep them in buisness. In fact, untill last year got money from us for “Research and development”, which went into making sure we never get off oil. So, in the land of “Free Trade” just who is able to use “Free Trade”, not the common folks, only the rich corporations benifit from this. I have said it before, corporations get more handouts from the taxpayer than all the poor, sick, and mentally ill people put together.
SugarShane on April 14 at 8:13 a.m.
@klos There is something fundamentally wrong with taxing an item at more than 100% of its cost.
Ever eaten at a restaurant? Usually you just figure cost, then double it. Its not all taxes but people dont seem to mind paying double for food.
Smokers deserve to pay 50$ a pack, and have tobacco listed as a schedule one drug by the DEA, with no medicinal value and a high likely hood of abuse and addiction.
Fair is fair.
mikeln on April 14 at 8:22 a.m.
The tobacco lawsuit, what a joke, only made the attorneys money. With the cost of healthcare tied directly to the harm tobacco has caused, you would have thought the tobacco industry would have had to pay a certain amount towards healthcare for smokers. Instead they were allowed to raise the price so the people that sued them had to pay the damages they were charged with, sweet deal if you can get it. Nothing for health care. Shows you just how corrupt our legal system is when it comes to dealing with other corrupt people.
lewis8457 on April 14 at 8:22 a.m.
Fair is fair as long as someone else is paying the price. Big brother says tobacco is good and therefore legal. That in itself should lump it in with all the commodities, picking one or two out to over tax a certain segment of the population is called discrimination.
spokanecommunistparty on April 14 at 8:27 a.m.
Ha ha, you can’t quit smoking =p
ICIrisheyes on April 14 at 8:33 a.m.
Tax Beer $1.00 a can or bottle , $4.00 on a 6 pack. Wine $2.00 a bottle & Liquor, $ 2.00 per pint ???. That will add up quick. Yea!!!! Tax the Cigarettes $1.00 to.
Irish Gurl in Montana
liarsinnews on April 14 at 8:37 a.m.
Gregoire`s, reckless spending habits has gotten the state into a financial crisis in the first place. And Lisa Brown, is the same and trying to BS the public the tax is for their own good. Own good? Seems to me with statements like that, GU might consider if she should continue to be on the payroll. Why not increase the cost of BIG MACS, over 100% tax. The burgers are bad for you and should be taxed accordingly. After all heart attacks cause more deaths.
Coffee on April 14 at 8:39 a.m.
Buy your smokes online and have them sent right to your house. The cost of shipping is a lot less than our states tax:)
spokanecommunistparty on April 14 at 9:32 a.m.
Republicans won’t let the Democrats tax rich people. The Republicans will only allow tax money to come from are Fatties, Drunks, and Smokers. Its a little shameful but we gotta keep the state chugging along. Its the “Fat Drunk Smoker Tax”. I think they should tax weed so we can smoke it, that would also bring in more Fatty tax too. Heres to you Drunks, crack one open and thanks. You are a true patriot.
eagleproducer on April 14 at 9:42 a.m.
Hello? Have people ever heard of Indian Reservations? I like the occasional tobacco product and they are less than half the cost on reservations. My favorite is the Fighting Creek Smoke Shop south of CDA! Take the Old Palouse Highway, turn left on Elder Road and follow the signs! It’s a great drive anytime of year!
mikeln on April 14 at 9:46 a.m.
Trickle down did’nt trickle down. The money the wealthy did’nt pay in taxes was used to move our jobs overseas. The first five letters in trickle are TRICK.
liarsinnews on April 14 at 10:07 a.m.
Spoketucky, thanks for the directions.
liarsinnews on April 14 at 10:23 a.m.
jessiepn & Megan_B: I doubt if you passed 4th grade math. If a person buys 2 cartons of cigarettes they save $80.00, notwithstanding filling up your gas tank.
MrNatural on April 14 at 11:04 a.m.
In pursuit of tobacco addiction
I travel to feed my affliction
An hour or two isn’t far
For nicotine, ashes and tar
My lungs and my liver may wilter
But I need to bite on to that filter
Defiant to taxes I save
But to this habit a slave
A buck! I grumble and blubber
And the cost of gas and rubber
The government won’t foil me yet
In the hunt for a cheap cigarette
MrNatural on April 14 at 11:11 a.m.
BTW…I quit many years ago and the improvement in my health and well being was tremendous…try to quit…you’ll be glad you did…
liarsinnews on April 14 at 12:02 p.m.
Mr. Natural:
Your a poet and I know it. Your feet show it. They are Longfellow’s.
BigE on April 14 at 12:48 p.m.
I have a suggestion, tax the you know what out of toilet paper.
For all you folks that go to Costco and buy your 144 pack of butt tape, you will rest well knowing your purchase is supporting the poor and destitute, good all over.
Megan_B on April 14 at 3:53 p.m.
ICIrisheyes : YESSS!!! Agreed!!!
misjustice on April 14 at 5:49 p.m.
What happened to law enforcement watching those drivers going into Idaho & buying cigarettes a few years ago? Yes, they were fining those caught purchasing tobacco in Idaho that were Washington citizens. They confiscated the tobacco & fined the person $10.00 per pack. They were getting them for tax evasion. (BTW, I don’t smoke so I won’t be paying the new tax. Financially the tax won’t “hurt” me, but it does hurt me that Gov G is doing this.)
I just want to know what happened to the “United” States of America? When did it become against the law to buy anything from some place other than in your own state? Gas is cheaper in Idaho. Am I going to be fined for purchasing gas there too? What about sales tax on furniture? Yes, I believe that is less also. Does that mean I can’t purchase household items in Idaho? I do believe there is a strip mall at the first exit wanting our tax dollars. Is that now illegal & off base for us too?
Government is running amuck & little by little our freedoms are being sucked away. So sad!
zelda on April 14 at 6:32 p.m.
Oh, great. This is going to turn Hwy. 27 into Thunder Road. Good news for Worley, I guess.
Spokane_Citizen on April 14 at 9:04 p.m.
So like…drive to where you can buy them cheaper. Who cares? All of your disposable income is going to be spent on something that will result in you becoming a net drag on society anyway. Hurry up, and get it over with!
deacon46 on April 14 at 9:19 p.m.
Smoke and pay for your own healthcare. Smoke lots so you will die earlier, less cost to the rest of us.
liarsinnews on April 14 at 10:15 p.m.
Zelda: I wonder if anyone has thought about seeking stimulus money for Highway 27 now that it is going to carry the increase in traffic to buy cig`ez?
Ed Byrnes on April 14 at 10:49 p.m.
I do not blame anyone for traveling to Idaho to purchase anything, be it tobacco, gasoline, or other items that are subjected to a far lower sales tax.
I have worked in pretty much every state in the west and Washington is the most bureaucratic place I have ever known, including California.
Perhaps the citizens of Washington, especially from the eastern half of the state who pay the freight in taxes but get few of the goods compared to the west side, accurately perceive little value or return for investing their sales tax expenditures in our state.
The problem doesn’t seem to be smokers, drinkers or drivers, it appears to be a state government gone awry.
Dazzeetrader11 on April 15 at 12:46 a.m.
Zelda…how funny calling Elder Road “Thunder Road” . I thought I was the only one who did that! I used to race porsches on that road…it was absolutely a gas! ….as long as you could handle the turns.
Isn’t it odd that few have come to realize or stated that this Obma/Gregoire system will tax everything to pay for their social agendas of more governemnt programsn and controls?
It’s not just the cigs…it’s everything. Vote em out as quickly as possible. Things will return to a better way.
If she didn’t create all this debt, there would be no need for this panoply of taxes…same in DC. Cut taxes and cut the giveaways…things get better. If you let these guys have their way, it’ll only get worse. Next up: VAT tax…and at any level they want. Vote em out while you can.
SpokaneCommunist..are you 10? Dems are taxing the rich now. It’s not the Rebups who won’t let Dems do anything. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK…Dems are in charge now. But if you tax the wealthy, no jobs bud. Jobless recoveries don’t exist.
BigE on April 15 at 6:45 a.m.
What is the above garbage advertising all about, China needs $
misjustice on April 15 at 11:40 p.m.
Again, my vote for best post goes to Mr. Natural; the Bard of the SR Blogs!
Thanks for the ode to a cheap cigarette; or killing yourself by degrees makes me laugh as I fall on my knees! ; )
misjustice on April 15 at 11:45 p.m.
another_p…first good, spot comment that you have made in a while. In fact some of the tax imposed on cigarettes is used to fund SCHIP, the health insurance plan for poor kids…so smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em! The kids will thank you! ; )
healinhand on April 21 at 1:09 p.m.
Well…….I will buy my smokes elswhere. Hopefully when I get get cancer I will burden the State for many years in hopes of getting my money back. HAHAHAHA
booksandcoffee on April 25 at 3:51 a.m.
Just wait till they go after my coffee or my books, oh in some places they already have. If you can afford to give yourself cancer, heart disease, emphezema, bad breath, a stinky house - hey its your body but pay the freight.