CresentSon
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As some may know, I enjoy a nice English tobacco from time to time. It is hard enough for me to find a good local tobacco, but now it will be harder. I got this in an email from a shop in Springfield, MO. The hits keep on coming.
News!!!
If you haven't heard, there is a new bill being reviewed by a Congressional committee to raise the taxes on pipe tobacco. They want to raise the pipe tobacco tax to equal the roll your own cigarette tobacco tax that was passed last year. H.R. 4439, the Tobacco Tax Parity Act of 2010 was introduced on January 13, 2010 and would raise the tax on pipe tobacco 775% from $2.8311 to $24.78 per pound. A 775% tax hike! We have a little more notice on this than we did the previous tax which means we have the opportunity to be heard. Take that opportunity and write your representatives! Whether you're a pipe smoker or not this is your concern. Those people who thought that last year's outrageous tax on cigarette tobacco wasn't their problem because they didn't smoke cigarettes were wrong. It doesn't matter if you're a cigarette smoker, pipe smoker, cigar smoker or don't smoke at all... this is an insane tax. If we don't make ourselves heard and let it be known that we are not ok with being taxed beyond reason on this issue it will only lead to ridiculous taxation on other things. Already there are states taxing tanning booths because tanning is bad for you and a federal tax has been discussed. Higher taxes on soft drinks have also been discussed for the same reason. What's next? Will everything the government deems as unhealthy be made unaffordable through taxation? When does it move to ice cream, doughnuts, beer or red meat?
Below are two links. One is to a PDF file of the actual bill and the other is to a webpage that will allow you to send an email to your congressmen. If you don't want to take the time to write or call your representatives this is an easy form that does all the work for you. All you have to do is enter your name and zip code and it does the rest. Please check it out and make yourself heard.
The bill: http://pipesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/H.R.%204439%20Bill.pdf
Send an email: http://www.rallycongress.com/stop-the-pipe-tobacco-tax/2826/stop-pipe-tobacco-tax/