Do you smoke cigarettes? Tennessee's rank on cigarette taxes on the rise. (how much)

[JD59]

Hi, I have never smoked cigarettes.

News, After both houses of Tennessee's legislature approved a bump of cigarette taxes to $0.62 per pack, the state's rank on cigarette taxes is likely on the rise.

Before Gov. Phil Bredesen's expected approval of the change, Tennessee ranks 47th in state-levied taxes nationwide. (Counties and cities may levy an addition $0.01 tax in the state of Tennessee, but that possible addition leaves the tax rate well below Virginia and Kentucky, the two states above Tennessee in taxation.) Tennessee's rate of taxation per pack is slightly more than one-fifth the nationwide average of $0.98 and is one-fourth the nationwide median of $0.80.

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=45960 (broken link)

[CAtoGA]

Okay, I don't smoke and can't stand being in the vicinity of people who are smoking, but just out of curiosity because I know people who do, how much does a pack of cigarettes cost in TN? I know that here in northern CA it is pushing $5 a pack! It sure adds up when you smoke a pack or more a day!

[JMT]

Originally Posted by John1960

Hi, I have never smoked cigarettes.

News, After both houses of Tennessee's legislature approved a bump of cigarette taxes to $0.62 per pack, the state's rank on cigarette taxes is likely on the rise.

Before Gov. Phil Bredesen's expected approval of the change, Tennessee ranks 47th in state-levied taxes nationwide. (Counties and cities may levy an addition $0.01 tax in the state of Tennessee, but that possible addition leaves the tax rate well below Virginia and Kentucky, the two states above Tennessee in taxation.) Tennessee's rate of taxation per pack is slightly more than one-fifth the nationwide average of $0.98 and is one-fourth the nationwide median of $0.80.

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=45960 (broken link)

Since the state is counting on all this additional cigarette tax revenue, clearly they want people to continue smoking. I mean, if they raise taxes on cigarettes hoping it will deter people from smoking, then they shouldn't really count on all that additional revenue. Make sense?

[artemis]

Its always "for the children", yet the education system here comes in at the bottom of the barrel.

When will they figure out that throwing money at a problem doesn't fix things?

[JMT]

Originally Posted by artemis

Its always "for the children", yet the education system here comes in at the bottom of the barrel.

When will they figure out that throwing money at a problem doesn't fix things?

That line "for the children" always makes me gag. I think it's funny (meaning twisted) that the state is helping fund education through human vices: the lottery and cigarettes. In other words, the last thing our state legislature wants Tennesseans to do is to quit gambling and quit smoking.

[alleycat]

People have heard "it's all for the children" so much that they use it as a joke line.

I work almost next door to the lottery headquarters (it used to be the corporate headquarters for Northern Telecom). You should see their offices. I'm only surprised they don't have champagne flowing in the fountain out front.

I see a new addition to Neyland Stadium in the near future . . . !