Cigarette tax saves the public health
Propose of raising taxes on tobacco products isn’t something unfamiliar for governor of South Carolina, Mark Stanford. He planned this along time ago, but only now, after setting of smoking ban, it gets its peak of interest. It is related to home tariff on smoking tobacco. As it was stated in the South Carolina region cigarette tax is lower than in other American states give not very agreeable results. This difference of low tobacco fee affects the state financial well-being.
The last raising of taxes on cigarette was stabled in 1977. This creates inflict damages not only on NC economy, but also in states where a pack of cigarette has more expensive price.
For example, an interesting case related to this problem was detected in 2002. A smuggler was accused of selling in Michigan the discount tobacco that was bough in North Carolina. The total amount of the smoking cigarettes that was sold illegally by this “businessman” at more expensive price was 7.9 million packs. The cigarettes were bringing in Michigan using a tractor-trailer.
This case, that is not the first one, creates complication not only home but also far from its boundaries. It is difficult for legislative enforced officials to fight with these tobacco-selling illegalities. Today, contrabandists have a well-stable alternate route and business. They used to by cheap discount tobacco product and import them to states where cigs are high-priced without paying the cigarette taxes in those states.
As it was estimated, from a single truckload, tobacco smugglers can earn 2 million dollars. It is simple to explain: a truckload can contain 48,800 cig cartoons that are sold at double or triple price. The estimated damages of the state and home tobacco companies are equal to millions dollars.
The rise of taxes on the cigs seems to be very benefit action. Health Care Task Force of North Carolina recommended the increase of taxes on smoking tobacco taxes and invests the collected money in home Medical Care Program, in CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program). One in five of NC children don’t have health insurance. The children are the future of every nation and it becomes a social problem then a child cannot attend school because of illness.
The governor proposes to raise taxes to 37 cents per cigarette pack and according to a survey that was done recently (2006) more than 70% of NC citizens agree with future rising of tariffs on smoking cigarette. This is the option of more than half of the North Carolina inhabitants and that must be take into account.
