The latest revenue-generating scheme of the government is banning and taxing e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes – for those not in the know – are substitutes for real cigarettes that are deemed to be safer for the smoker. These battery powered devices heat a flavored liquid creating steam which is then inhaled by the “vaper” (“vaping” is what the user does with an e-cigarette.) The amount of nicotine in the vapor can be adjust to allow the former smoker to ween him(her)self from cigarette smoking.
Most towns have a “Vape” shop of some kind. They are typically stores of the mom-and-pop variety, although e-cigarettes are also available at convenience stores as well.
So, with any activity or product that becomes a “thing”, the politicians want to try to get a “piece-of-the-action”.
Indiana just passed legislation banning the sale of e-liquids to minors and requiring manufacturers to get a permit from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission before bottling or selling. Businesses would pay $1,000 for the permit, which would be good for five years. Renewals would cost $500.
Minnesota decided to tax it so highly that it would either destroy the business or bring in a load of cashiola:
According to the sourcelink,
“Buried in the bill is a provision that would change the way e-cigarettes are taxed. Right now, disposable e-cigarettes or vapor used in reusable e-cigarettes is taxed at 95 percent of the wholesale price of tobacco products.
The tax bill would change the rules to impose a 30 cent tax on every milliliter of vaping solution. Vaping retailers and manufacturers say that amounts to an 800 percent tax increase.”
In addition, Minnesota, in a nod to the cigarette industry – who apparently STILL has a very strong lobby – they halted tobacco tax increases and descreased the cost of cigarette stamps needed in order to sell cigarettes.
A bill in Delaware just bans the use of e-cigarettes indoors completely – including inside vapor shops.
So, you think the government is actually worried about your health. That’s so cute.
Tim Black is a software developer, author, day trader and real estate investor. He’s been known to do some rock climbing, backpacking, off-roading, shooting and keyboard playing. He spends much of his time in the Dallas TX area.
In addition to NoozSaurus, Tim writes the occasional guest blog at Technorati.com and WinnersEdgeTrading.com.
I have a wonderful wife and BFF of 38 years, two awesome kids, one awesome foster kid, two awesome sons-in-law and several dozen kids that call me Daddo. 🙂 Yes, God has richly blessed me.
If you want to know more about me, message me and we’ll do coffee. I like coffee. 🙂
