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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Cigar tax snags younger Banducci

From Fred Birnbaum of Idaho Freedom Foundation:

Paul Banducci owns Bulldog Pipe and Cigar in Coeur d’ Alene. As you can imagine, Paul is enthusiastic about fine tobacco and serves a niche for those who appreciate supporting a local business. Paul works long hours, as the shop is open seven days a week; for Paul to support his family, it almost has to be.

You see, while many folks in Idaho may not smoke cigars or particularly care for tobacco products, they shouldn’t want to place a small businessman, who is selling a legal product, at a disadvantage relative to out-of-state competitors.

Or do they? That’s exactly what Idaho is doing to Paul. More here.

Question: Do you think the 40% cigar tax is fair?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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