taxes on tobacco

State----------- Tax------------Income------------------ Total Price for a pack(Without sales Tax) Rhode Island----$3.46---------$39,463----------------------------$5.91 New York---------$2.75---------$47,385----------------------------$.5.22 New Jersey------$2.70---------$49,194----------------------------$5.15 Hawaii----------$2.60-----------$39,239---------------------------$5.05 Wisconsin-------$2.52-----------$36,047--------------------------$4.97 Massachusetts--$2.51-----------$49,084-------------------------$4.96 DC---------------$2.50-----------$61,092-------------------------$4.95 Vermont--------$2.24-----------$36,670-------------------------$4.69 Washington-----$2.03-----------$40,414------------------------$4.48 Arizona---------$2.00------------$33,029------------------------$4.45 Alaska----------$2.00------------$40,352------------------------$4.45 Maryland-------$2.00------------$46,021------------------------$.4.45 Maine----------$2.00-------------$33,722-----------------------$4.45 Connecticut----$2.00-------------$54,117---------------------$4.45 Michigan-------$2.00-------------$35,086----------------------$4.45 New Hampshire--$1.78----------$41,512----------------------$4.23 Montana---------$1.70-----------$32,458---------------------$4.15 Delaware--------$1.60------------$40,658---------------------$4.05 Minnesota-------$1.56------------$41,034----------------------$4.01 South Dakota----$1.53------------$33,905--------------------$3.98 Texas------------$1.41------------$37,187---------------------$3.86 Iowa-------------$1.36------------$35,023---------------------$3.81 Pennsylvania----$1.35------------$38,788---------------------$3.80 Florida-----------$1.34------------$38,444---------------------$3.79 Ohio--------------$1.25------------$34,874--------------------$3.70 Oregon-----------$1.18------------$34,784-------------------$3.63 Arkansas---------$1.15-----------$30,060--------------------$3.60 Oklahoma--------$1.03-----------$34,153--------------------$3.48 Indiana-----------$.995-----------$33,616-------------------$3.44 Illinois------------$.98-------------$40,233-------------------$3.43 New Mexico-----$.91--------------$31,474------------------$3.36 California--------$.87-------------$41,571-------------------$3.32 Colorado---------$.84------------$41,042-------------------$3.29 Nevada-----------$.80-----------$40,480--------------------$3.25 Kansas-----------$.79-----------$36,768--------------------$3.24 Utah-------------$.6695----------$31,189-------------------$3.14 Mississippi------$.68------------$28,845------------------$3.13 Nebraska-------$.64----------$36,471---------------------$3.09 Tennessee-------$.62----------$33,280-------------------$3.07 Wyoming-------$.60----------$43,226--------------------$3.05 Kentucky-------$.60-----------$31,111--------------------$3.05 Idaho-----------$.57----------$31,197--------------------$3.02 West Virginia---$.55---------$29,537--------------------$3.00 North Carolina--$.45--------$33,636---------------------$2.90 North Dakota----$.44-------$34,846----------------------$2.89 Alabama---------$.425-----$32,404----------------------$2.88 Georgia-----------$.37------$33,457---------------------$2.82 Louisiana---------$.36--------$34,756-------------------$2.81 Virginia-----------$.30---------$41,347------------------$2.75 Missouri----------$.17--------$34,389-------------------$2.62 South Carolina-- $.07-------$31,013--------------------$2.52 This table I have made is based off of many sources. My opponent argues that people wouldn't be able to afford tobacco because on average it is 5.12 a pack. That is an average if you were to put in all the numbers, but if you were to separate it you will see that it isn't that expensive. Generally States that people on average make a lot of money will have higher taxes on Tobacco but that is because they can afford it. Generally States that people on average make not a lot of money will have lower taxes on tobacco so people in those states so they can afford it. http://www.top50states.com... http://www.infoplease.com... (population of each state) If it is important. http://www.tobaccofreekids.org... "not certain what point your making with the smoking population stats" My point I am trying to make is that because people have more education about how tobacco affects their body, less people are likely to smoke. People not smoking isn't because they can't afford it but because they care about their health(the ones that go to school and do care). "also low income households" People in with Low income can still buy tobacco not only because of the point I proved above with my table but because of (ETIC or EIC). This will help people with low-income, it is a refundable tax credit. http://en.wikipedia.org... "I cant speak for all the state laws but the federal tax give money to no such programs" My opponent misunderstood what I said. What I was saying is that because less people smoke, the money used to treat them is less for there are less people who smoke. That means more money can be used for other health-related problems. "The revenue from the tax increase, which will be used to expand coverage under the State Children's Health Insurance Program to an additional 4 million low-income children, was signed into law in February." What you just said will be helpful; since people know that their money is going to a good cause and not only the government but for building a hospital for low-income children people may spend more money to help get it built. "A Price Waterhouse analysis of the U.S. industry's impact estimated that tobacco production generated $51.5 billion of the U.S. Gross National Product (GNP), employing 681,353 persons along the way" I believe my opponent is trying to prove that the tobacco industry is helpful to our economy and these taxes would hurt it. Unfortunately what he posted is 14 years old, since this is 14 years old it is hard to know if this is still a reliable source. (Tobacco Institute, 1995; 3-5). The part that was omitted. http://org.elon.edu... At the moment I have dismissed my opponent's arguments that he has posted so far. You may check over my table that I posted if you don't believe it to be correct. I didn't put the sales tax in because you wanted most taxes removed on tobacco except sales tax. I await my opponent's cross-examination of me and his arguments when it's his turn.