Stop Smoking, Start Shopping

Bloomberg looks to raise taxes to cut them...I think it isn't a bad idea.

Mayor Bloomberg is probably most notorious here in the city for his hatred of smokers. Now, a report says he plans on raising the cigarette tax (again,) to cut clothing taxes. The taxes on cigarettes would place the second highest taxes on cigarettes in the country, after Chicago.

Personally, I never had a problem with taxing cigarettes, even as a smoker (as I was from 1998, when they cost $2.75 a pack until 55 days ago.) Cigarettes are a luxury, luxuries can be taxed. Also, personally, I don't see clothing as a luxury, because clothing is a necessity, therefore it should not be taxed, so I'm happy to see Bloomberg taxing a luxury to cut them on necessities. The only caveat is that the state legislature must approve his plan. The state legislature tends to take forever to approve anything unless Governor Spitzer locks them inside the state house all night (see the budget.)

I remember hearing people complain about the taxes on cigarettes, that is was discrimination against smokers. Don't smoke, you know it's unhealthy, either quit or deal with it. That's what I did, I dealt with it. I paid the taxes, didn't complain. I smoked outside and away from non-smokers, until I was ready to quit.

So that's my message to smokers who may bitch and moan that Bloomberg is discriminating against them. Shutup or quit. In the meantime, buy some new tax-free clothes to replace the smelly ones.