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Smoking
Jan 5, 2008 13:25:04 GMT -7
Post by rdywenur on Jan 5, 2008 13:25:04 GMT -7
Yesterday Wegmans our local grocery store announced that they no longer will be selling cigaretes. I think this is a great step forward and hopefully the rest will follow one day. It is the only way I see that we can get people to stop smoking cause as long as it is available younger kids will continue to pick up this bad habit. Sure the smokers will be screaming and so far we have heard pros and nays but I think personally this is a good start. Thumbs up
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joyce
Full Pole
Posts: 394
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Smoking
Jan 5, 2008 17:46:47 GMT -7
Post by joyce on Jan 5, 2008 17:46:47 GMT -7
Yesterday Wegmans our local grocery store announced that they no longer will be selling cigaretes. I think this is a great step forward and hopefully the rest will follow one day. It is the only way I see that we can get people to stop smoking cause as long as it is available younger kids will continue to pick up this bad habit. Sure the smokers will be screaming and so far we have heard pros and nays but I think personally this is a good start. Thumbs up Do you work for Walmart by chance? Just kidding! ;D This sounds like something Walmart would do. First they locked all the tobacco products in plexiglass cabinets and you had to ask for your smokes. Now you have to go to a special check aisle to buy your smokes-and this aisle is limited to 10 items r less. What makes me mad, is that if I have a basket full of food, I have to stand in line to buy smokes and then stand in line again to pay for the food. Needless to say, I don't buy my smokes at Walmart. The only problem I see with other stores following suit-is that they may lose revenue from not selling the tobacco products. Tobacco vendors sell the smokes by the case, usually giving the store a discount. The store will mark up the price to make a profit. Managers of stores know that the "sin" items such as tobacco and alcohol/wine/liquors bring in profits. How many managers are willing to give up huge profits? The whole smoking issue is a farce. We know we shouldn't smoke, but yet the government subsidizes the tobacco farmers. To me that doesn't make sense. It's like the Prohibition days-people are gonna want the item and will stop at nothing to get it.
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Smoking
Jan 5, 2008 17:59:33 GMT -7
Post by rdywenur on Jan 5, 2008 17:59:33 GMT -7
Here is the article that was in the paper. tinyurl.com/3583lrWegmans is a top supermarket and has always been one of the leading stores around the country. They were the first here to use scanners in US I believe.
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Mary
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 934
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Smoking
Jan 5, 2008 18:30:25 GMT -7
Post by Mary on Jan 5, 2008 18:30:25 GMT -7
Sadly, although many try to pass off the taxes on cigarettes as a way to make people quit. Federal and States are making a bundle! They make it look like they are doing smokers a favor, when in reality it is an addiction and they know that people will continue to smoke if they can't or don't want to quit...so why not take advantage and rake in all that dough? Did you know that the new medicine Chantix is not covered by most if not all medical insurances? Does this make sense??? A one month supply is $104. at our local pharmacy. I can tell you that this new medicine DOES work! So why does the Government and insurance companies allow it to be so unacessable? To keep us hooked Keep that tax revenue coming in! Mary STATE CIGARETTE EXCISE TAX RATES & RANKINGS Overall All States’ Average: $1.112 per pack Major Tobacco States’ Average: 33.5 cents per pack Other States’ Average: $1.216 per pack 1400 I Street NW - Suite 1200 - Washington, DC 20005 Phone (202) 296-5469 · Fax (202) 296-5427 · www.tobaccofreekids.orgState Tax Rank Alabama $0.425 42nd Alaska $2.00 4th Arizona $2.00 4th Arkansas $0.59 38th California $0.87 30th Colorado $0.84 31st Connecticut $2.00 4th Delaware $1.15 23rd DC $1.00 26th Florida $0.339 46th Georgia $0.37 43rd Hawaii $1.80 10th Idaho $0.57 39th Illinois $0.98 28th Indiana $0.995 27th Iowa $1.36 19th Kansas $0.79 33rd Kentucky $0.30 47th State Tax Rank Louisiana $0.36 44th Maine $2.00 4th Maryland $2.00 4th Massachusetts $1.51 15th Michigan $2.00 4th Minnesota* $1.49 17th Mississippi $0.18 49th Missouri $0.17 50th Montana $1.70 13th Nebraska $0.64 35th Nevada $0.80 32nd New Hampshire $1.08 24th New Jersey $2.58 1st New Mexico $0.91 29th New York $1.50 16th North Carolina $0.35 45th North Dakota $0.44 41st Ohio $1.25 21st State Tax Rank Oklahoma $1.03 25th Oregon $1.18 22nd Pennsylvania $1.35 20th Rhode Island $2.46 2nd South Carolina $0.07 51st South Dakota $1.53 14th Tennessee $0.62 36th Texas $1.41 18th Utah $0.695 34th Vermont $1.79 11th Virginia $0.30 47th Washington $2.025 3rd West Virginia $0.55 40th Wisconsin $1.77 12th Wyoming $0.60 37th Puerto Rico $1.23 NA Guam $1.00 NA Northern Marianas $1.75 NA * Tax stamp includes 75¢ health impact fee & 26¢ cigarette sales tax (Commissioner of Revenue sets sales tax rate each year). Table shows all cigarette taxes already passed into law that will go into effect in the 2007 calendar year. Since 2002, 43 States, DC and several U.S. territories have increased their cigarette tax rates more than 70 times. The six states in bold type have not increased their cigarette tax since 2001 or much earlier. Tobacco states are KY, VA, NC, SC, GA, and TN. States’ average includes DC, but not Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories. Local cigarette taxes not included. Including Puerto Rico (which has a larger U.S. population than more than 20 states and DC) raises the state average to $1.114 per pack and the non-tobacco state average to $1.216. The median tax rate is now $1.00 per pack. MI, MN, and UT also have special 35¢ per pack taxes or fees on brands of manufacturers not participating in the state tobacco lawsuit settlements (NPMs). The highest combined state-local tax rate is now $3.66 in Chicago, with Evanston, IL second at $3.30 per pack. Other high state-local rates include Anchorage at $3.10 and New York City at $3.00 per pack. For more on local cigarette taxes, see: tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0267.pdf. Federal cigarette tax is 39¢ per pack. From the beginning of 1998 through 2002, the major cigarette companies increased the prices they charge by more than $1.25 per pack (but also instituted aggressive retail-level discounting for competitive purposes and to reduce related consumption declines). In January 2003, Philip Morris instituted a 65-cent per pack price cut for four of its major brands, to replace its retail-level discounting and fight sales losses to discount brands, and RJ Reynolds followed suit. In 2005, Philip Morris and Reynolds American announced price increases of about ten cents per pack, and in September 2007, Philip Morris, Reynolds American, and Lorillard increased their product prices by another five cents per pack. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention estimates that smoking-caused health costs total $10.28 per pack sold and consumed in the United States. The average price for a pack of cigarettes nationwide is roughly $4.63 (including statewide sales taxes but not local cigarette or sales taxes, other than NYC’s $1.50 per pack cigarette tax), with considerable state-to-state differences because of different state tax rates, and different manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer pricing and discounting practices. AK, DE, MT, NH & OR have no state retail sales tax at all; CO, MN & OK have a state sales tax but it do not apply it to cigarettes; and AL, GA & MO (unlike the rest of the states) do not apply their state sales tax to that portion of retail cigarette prices that represents the state’s cigarette excise tax. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, November 27, 2007 / Eric Lindblom Sources: Orzechowski & Walker, Tax Burden on Tobacco, 2006; media reports. For additional information see the Campaign’s website at tobaccofreekids.org/reports/prices.
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Mary
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 934
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Smoking
Jan 5, 2008 21:17:19 GMT -7
Post by Mary on Jan 5, 2008 21:17:19 GMT -7
Here is the article that was in the paper. tinyurl.com/3583lrWegmans is a top supermarket and has always been one of the leading stores around the country. They were the first here to use scanners in US I believe. From the article you submit, with my comments in parentheses, ( ).The family-owned retailer said it came to the decision after weighing the role smoking plays in people's health with respect for a person's right to smoke "We believe there are few of us who would introduce our children to smoking," stated a letter to employees from Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman and his daughter, Colleen, the company's president. ( I can agree and appreciate their stand against cigarettes. )Wegmans doesn't expect massive numbers of customers to quit smoking, Natale said. "But we employ 37,000 people. Many of them are young people under 21. If this sends the right message to them, we will have accomplished something." Wegmans is a major local employer, with 14,013 employees in the greater Rochester area as of November, Natale said. While Target stores stopped selling tobacco products in 1996 — and many grocery chains specializing in organic or health food never have sold cigarettes — Wegmans is the first major grocery store chain in New York state to pull tobacco products from its shelves, according to the state Health Department. The move could have a major impact on people's smoking habits due to Wegmans' popularity and long reach, said state Commissioner of Health Dr. Richard F. Daines. ( I am sorry to disagree, but, this is an addiction and it will not have an impact on purchases. Smokers will just buy them elsewhere.)Children often tag along on shopping trips, and not seeing their parents buy cigarettes may help prevent a new generation of smokers from picking up the habit, Daines said. (I have to disagree here also. My parents were not smokers, but I was a smoker for 37 years.) "It really changes the geography," he said. "This idea of getting tobacco out of retail sites is very important." The decision also could inspire other outlets to stop selling cigarettes, Daines said. (Smokers will go elsewhere.... as would an alcoholic or drug addict. I used to drive about 80 miles a month to buy cigarettes at a reservation in NY state where I could get them without taxes, at $11.50 a carton.) The Rochester chapter of the American Cancer Society praised Wegmans for pairing this decision with a smoking cessation program for its employees, which it will begin later in the year. "They're not just saying cigarette smoking is bad," said Mark Cronin, regional vice president of the cancer society. "They're saying, 'We're going to help you quit.'" (I applaud Wegmans decision, and hope they make a difference.... especially with our youth. But with this comment... they are wrong... SMOKING IS BAD, and most smokers will agree with this. We don't want this for our children.) But some area residents — smokers and non-smokers alike — don't support Wegmans' decision. There was a long pause when Mark Borton, 53, of Penfield learned Friday afternoon that Wegmans would no longer carry cigarettes. "I've got so many feelings about that," he said after a moment. "This is supposed to be a country of choice." Bobby Daminski, 27, of Rochester didn't see it as a noble move. "I hear they aren't going to sell cigarettes anymore because it's unhealthy, but they sell a lot of unhealthy things here," said Daminski, a non-smoker who was shopping Friday at Rochester's East Avenue Wegmans. "I chalk it up to the equivalent of Wal-Mart not selling CDs with explicit lyrics." Wegmans will continue to sell beer and wine, Natale said. "It's a point for debate, but beer and wine are foods that can be safely consumed in moderation," Natale said. "The same cannot be said for tobacco products." ( Very debatable.... an addict is an addict, is an adict..... depends on the addiction of choice.....................................)Although Wegmans' tobacco sales have been declining in recent years, these products are still very profitable for the grocery store chain, Natale said. She would not disclose how much revenue Wegmans brings in each year through tobacco sales, because the company doesn't share financial information, she said. Cigarettes are more expensive than average at Wegmans because the company does not accept promotional money from tobacco companies, Natale said. And cigarettes have been located behind the service desk since 2002 to protect against theft, meaning customers have had to stand in a separate line to purchase them. On Friday, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes at the East Avenue Wegmans was $6.06 before taxes. Compare that with $4.44 at nearby Tops Markets Inc. and $4.27 at a Hess gas station. ( At a reservation they can be purchased for $1.50 a pack )Deborah Barry, 55, of Rochester only buys her cigarettes at Wegmans when absolutely necessary. She prefers to travel to a Native American reservation in Genesee County to make her purchase, she said. But despite Barry's three-pack-a-day habit, she thought Wegmans' decision to do away with cigarettes was a good thing. "I wish I could quit," she said. "I'll tell anyone it's too hard to quit — harder than drugs and alcohol, and I gave both of those up." (She is telling the truth... My partner is an alcoholic, 10 yrs dry in this upcoming April. He has tried to quit smoking too, and failed (so far) saying that tobacco is far more addictive than alcohol, it's just more accepted.)Mary
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Jan 6, 2008 0:21:55 GMT -7
;D ;D AAh! The nagging nannies are at it again and putting a nix on another choice. Let me see! next we can ban drinks with Alcohol in them (that goes for beer and wine) then we can ban cosmetics, especially perfume; next we can go after coffee and tea. Next we can be put in a bed have tubes and wires inserted and have the government give us what THEY think is appropriat. Pardon me as I insert some Erinmore tobacco into my Peterson pipe and ponder this Yah! We can ban cars, trains, planes and roads (this would prevent death and injury). As a matter of fact lets ban everything that could lead to death or injury. As a last thought, perhaps we could put a hefty tax on health and physical fitness equipment because they can lead to sever injury or death. LOL ;D ;D
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Mary
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 934
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Post by Mary on Jan 6, 2008 8:42:10 GMT -7
;D ;D AAh! The nagging nannies are at it again and putting a nix on another choice. Let me see! next we can ban drinks with Alcohol in them (that goes for beer and wine) then we can ban cosmetics, especially perfume; next we can go after coffee and tea. Next we can be put in a bed have tubes and wires inserted and have the government give us what THEY think is appropriat. Pardon me as I insert some Erinmore tobacco into my Peterson pipe and ponder this Yah! We can ban cars, trains, planes and roads (this would prevent death and injury). As a matter of fact lets ban everything that could lead to death or injury. As a last thought, perhaps we could put a hefty tax on health and physical fitness equipment because they can lead to sever injury or death. LOL ;D ;D Well put Bob! Big Brother at work! I don't know how civilization ever survived this long without the benefit of those who know what's best for us. Mary
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Jan 6, 2008 9:04:55 GMT -7
;D Right you are Gen3. Those people would have had a Coniption Fit if they had lived in the 40's and 50's. I don't recall any of those Do Gooders contributing anything to my hobbies and passtimes. I know! we can all retire to caves and live like hermits. Just leave me alone to do my thing and I promise not to hurt anyone. Aha! lights at night hurt my sky observations. Lets ban night light pollution and close all outdoor lighting. ;D ;D
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Smoking
Jan 6, 2008 11:57:45 GMT -7
Post by rdywenur on Jan 6, 2008 11:57:45 GMT -7
Bob, In most cases I would agree with you in regards to Big Brother but not on this issue. I hope in my lifetime I live to see a non smoking world. I use to smoke occasionally. Every once in awhile I still will get a wish for a smoke but even when I did smoke I found it the most nastiest habit to have. My hair stunk , my clothes stunk, probably my breath stunk...yuk!!!! Today if I am even near someone that smokes but is not smoking I can smell it on them and it is enough to bother my breathing. Kids don't need parents as an example. Mine didn't smoke. It was learned from my peers and watching movies. Let's call it brain washing by the tobacco companies and money does talk so lets speak louder over them and save some lives.
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Smoking
Jan 6, 2008 12:15:50 GMT -7
Post by Bob S on Jan 6, 2008 12:15:50 GMT -7
Bob, In most cases I would agree with you in regards to Big Brother but not on this issue. I hope in my lifetime I live to see a non smoking world. I use to smoke occasionally. Every once in awhile I still will get a wish for a smoke but even when I did smoke I found it the most nastiest habit to have. My hair stunk , my clothes stunk, probably my breath stunk...yuk!!!! Today if I am even near someone that smokes but is not smoking I can smell it on them and it is enough to bother my breathing. Kids don't need parents as an example. Mine didn't smoke. It was learned from my peers and watching movies. Let's call it brain washing by the tobacco companies and money does talk so lets speak louder over them and save some lives. ;D ;D Chris. In the meantime we can put a ban on murder, robbery, rape, assault, illegal drugs and a myriad amount of other "sins". Some make a choice to do one thing or the other, some make a choice to do nothing. Don't take the choices away and don't try to force one's choices on another. Live and let live. Freedom is the ability to make choices without outside interference. ;D ;D
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Smoking
Jan 6, 2008 13:05:36 GMT -7
Post by leslie on Jan 6, 2008 13:05:36 GMT -7
Bob I agree everyone should have their choices, but as far as smoking is concerned, what about restaurant and bar staff who for hours at work have to breathe in the smoke emitted by others who were able to make the choice? That is why so many people in the UK where there is a ban on smoking indoors in public places are not disagreeing in their thousands against it. They realise what the smokers are doing to the remainder. Leslie
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Smoking
Jan 6, 2008 13:38:18 GMT -7
Post by bescheid on Jan 6, 2008 13:38:18 GMT -7
Bob I agree everyone should have their choices, but as far as smoking is concerned, what about restaurant and bar staff who for hours at work have to breathe in the smoke emitted by others who were able to make the choice? That is why so many people in the UK where there is a ban on smoking indoors in public places are not disagreeing in their thousands against it. They realize what the smokers are doing to the remainder. Leslie Leslie You do know, you do have an excellent point!!! The employees have no control other wise, in their work place conditions in respekt to work place conditions of health.. This would in self constitute as {hazardous work conditions}, in as such, should constitute as renumeration for hazardous pay incentives. And whilst in performance of work related industry, in compliance of hazardous work environment, be eligible for work related renumeration for benefits. Hmmm, now I wonder, if perhaps this should fly, should I apply for my license for in the legal profession?-no,, this would require to dress up of that I have no consideration of. Naaaaa, I miss the see, I was most happy whilst on the trawler fleet. If not shot by the motley crew, then it would be to the mother of earth, the sea to dispatch of my loused body. Charles
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Mary
Cosmopolitan
Posts: 934
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Smoking
Jan 6, 2008 14:22:10 GMT -7
Post by Mary on Jan 6, 2008 14:22:10 GMT -7
Bob I agree everyone should have their choices, but as far as smoking is concerned, what about restaurant and bar staff who for hours at work have to breathe in the smoke emitted by others who were able to make the choice? That is why so many people in the UK where there is a ban on smoking indoors in public places are not disagreeing in their thousands against it. They realise what the smokers are doing to the remainder. Leslie As a former smoker, and knowing many others, I can say that most smokers are very considerate now days of others. I NEVER smoked in a nonsmokers house, even if they said it was ok. I NEVER smoked around children. I didn't mind going without a smoke for a while when out for dinner. I could wait until I left the restaurant. BUT; I also don't think anyone else should tell me what I can do in my own house, car or yard!!! And now that I don't smoke, it doesn't give me the right to dictate to others!!! Like someone else said, live and let live, Mary
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joyce
Full Pole
Posts: 394
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Post by joyce on Jan 7, 2008 3:30:06 GMT -7
As a former smoker, and knowing many others, I can say that most smokers are very considerate now days of others. I NEVER smoked in a nonsmokers house, even if they said it was ok. I NEVER smoked around children. I didn't mind going without a smoke for a while when out for dinner. I could wait until I left the restaurant.
BUT; I also don't think anyone else should tell me what I can do in my own house, car or yard!!! And now that I don't smoke, it doesn't give me the right to dictate to others!!!
Like someone else said, live and let live,
I, too, can refrain from smoking while around others who don't smoke. And yes, I can refrain from smoking in someone's house even if they say I can-but I won't. I don't smoke in my car while driving.-do you how bad the car and the air conditioning smells once you have smoked in the vehicle? No amount of deodorant will ever kill the tobacco smell.
Certain work places restrict where smokers can smoke-such as 200 feet away from any entry point into a building (even tho a building maybe be pressurized). Some hospitals now will not let you smoke on their grounds. They make you sign a form saying that you will abide by their non-smoking rules. Supposedly you cannot even smoke in your car while parked in their parking areas. To me, if I want to burn one while in my car before I have to face a doctor whose gonna tell me that I may die from an operation, I want to have that freedom-that choice. Certain hospitals around here will fire employees who smoke. Now I can understand if they fire employees who do illegal drugs, but tobacco is not illegal YET!
Does the Wegman's store monitor people, including little hands from purchasing over the counter drug brands? Does Wegman's proof anyone from buying cough medicines or anti-histamines? Do they care who buys a cannister of hairspray? If not, then they don't have the best interest of their customers in mind. The things one can do with cough syrup and anti-histamines. So their cigarette issue is just "fluff."
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Post by rdywenur on Jan 7, 2008 5:39:55 GMT -7
Joyce yes to most of your questions here. I have to ask the pharmacist for Sudafed and then sign for it as a Rx. Aside from no cigarettes sold I think you would love to have one of these Wegmans in your neighborhood to shop in. www.wegmans.com
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