Do cigarette taxes go to healthcare?

Answer 1

Providing money for healthcare was the original justification behind both state and federal government's efforts to impose excessive taxes on cigarettes. There were relentless campaigns exploiting the damaging effects of smoking using a wide variety of statistics to illustrate the related healthcare costs to government. Most of this activity took place in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In my state, the taxes were imposed with little protest from the public and are one of the highest in the country. Within two years of imposing the new cigarette taxes, reports began to appear in the news that this block of tax money had found its way into various public words projects around the state, projects like public parks, building projects, road repair, etc. In the intervening years, our state has continued to regularly increase this excise tax and no longer feels the need to justify this; the public assumes that this money is used to offset healthcare costs to the state. I have tried to find the information on how this money is spent but I can find nothing.

In July of 2010, there were headlines in the news in New York City that the city was facing a critical budget shortfall. Their solution to ward off disaster was to impose a new 1.50 per pack tax on cigarettes in addition to the existing excise taxes. I was able to find one website, 'Retirement Living Information Center' (link below), that covers the topic about as objectively as I've found, that places the cost of taxes on cigarettes, averaged for all states at 82% of the total cost. Of course, sales tax at the point of sale is added to that; in effect, taxing the taxes.

Most efforts to limit smoking in public places and the efforts to restrict young people easy access to cigarettes and smoking are genuine efforts toward the public good. Public officials who use these efforts as leverage to find ways to levy more and more taxes are not genuine. To answer your question if these taxes are spent on healthcare, there is no evidence to support that.

Answer 2

YES - They should pay taxes because smoking kills about 2,000 people a day and the taxes are sent to help public services like schools.

NO - Sin Taxes (like taxes on cigarettes), should not exist because although they are intended to raise revenues, they lower them. Instead of discouraging "sinful" behaviors, they usually make these behaviors more appealing. For more information see the Related Link shown on the WikiAnswers page for "Are sin taxes effective?" (see Related Question below).

Answer 3

They most definitely should do, because they cost the country billions every year treating them for cancer and disease. That money could be spent on stem cell research or developing a vaccine for childhood leukemia.

In fact, some countries already do.

In the United Kingdom, for example, the government has risen the price of tobacco and alcoholic items by increasing the tax value upon them. A tax in other words upon smokers and drinkers who cause the medical system to get backlogged.

Answer 4

Of course u should because of smoker some people die most of all kid .

Answer 5

Sales Tax on cigarettes depends on what country you're in and which State you're in within the United States. The US I think had a Federal Tax, but States can also set their own tax.