Oppose tobacco excise taxes, smoking bans
Pub Date: 5/1/2006
One of the many benefits of living in a free nation is our ability to contact our elected officials and encourage them to support or oppose legislation that affects our lives.
In the case of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, two of the legislative issues we are most concerned about are the proliferation of smoking bans and cigarette excise tax increases.
We urge those who share our concern, to let their elected officials know that more than 46 million Americans smoke cigarettes, and they should oppose cigarette excise tax increases for the following reasons:
Cigarettes are one of the most heavily taxed consumer products in the U.S. The federal excise tax rate is 39 cents per pack and states tax cigarettes at rates that reach more than $2 a pack.
Smoking is a lifestyle choice. Adults purchase more than 99 percent of the cigarettes sold at retail in this country. Excessive taxation punishes adult smokers for their lifestyle choice.
Cigarette taxes are regressive. They hit hardest the people who can least afford high taxes. Working families who earn $30,000 or less would pay nearly 47 percent of new cigarette taxes.
We oppose smoking bans for the following reasons:
Business owners should decide. Restaurant and bar owners, not government, should determine their smoking policies.
Smoking bans are bad for business. Government-imposed smoking bans cause a loss of business, revenue and jobs.
Accommodation means that all segments of the marketplace are provided for, which includes smoking as well as nonsmoking patrons.
On these and other issues that politicians are debating every day, we encourage you to make your voice heard.
One simple way to do this is to go to and register. You ll receive a personalized page listing your federal and state legislators and their contact information.
Address an elected official as The Honorable (full name). Begin your letter with Dear Senator or Dear Representative. When writing to the chairman of a committee or a speaker, it is proper to address them as Dear Mr. Chairman or Dear Madam Chairwoman or Dear (or Madam) Speaker.
In addition to communicating with your elected representative in a letter or by e-mail, here are other things you can do to protect your rights:
Register to vote. It s your right, your privilege and your responsibility. Visit for voter registration forms and information for your state.
Report smoking issues in your area. By visiting , you can add your voice to the growing smokers rights movement. Use the Report Smoking Issues in Your Area link.
Call your elected officials. Remember that a staff member rather than a legislator usually takes phone calls. Ask to speak to the aide who handles the issue on which you wish to comment. Then identify yourself (your name and where you re from) and leave a brief message.
Our system of government works best when everyone participates. Sometimes it s hard to believe that one voice can make a difference, but it can! And when we ban together to make our voices heard, the message is even stronger.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, May, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.