I didn't see anyone "mocking" you. But since it is typing on a page I could not determine the "tone" of what was said, which can make a difference. But ....
I just read a couple of articles about the black market street trade in smokes in New York, which apparently was on the rise from an increase in taxes that was "apparently" an attempt to reduce smoking .... by raising the cost. Even with the increase of "black market" sales (packs and "loosies") usage dropped.
But ... there are provisions in the law that require signage alerting to age requirements and substantial fines for failing to abide by the sales prohibitions to underage buyers as well as to selling with the tax certificates (which is a generally accepted practice for tobacco products as well as liquor, wine, and beer.)
Obviously poor people have less money to buy lots of things, including cigs. They may be impacted sooner than others ... with increased prices, but I didn't get that was the target of the law. I think it was generally directed to all those who smoke. Their increased health care costs due to continued smoking could easily justify an increase in cig taxes.
We can argue about the wisdom and effectiveness of the law, or even the focus of it, until the cows come home, but the point is ... it was in place and rather recently in place to be enforced. Kinda like those pesky stop signs! (red lights!) (speed limit signs).
Annoying as hell if you need a smoke. Fuckin' government control freaks. Originally Posted by LexusLover
I guess I fail to see the legitimacy of this law and I do strongly think it was imposed to specifically target the "lower class." I guess if I were tax payer in NYC I'd be slightly annoyed that so much time and money is spent chasing a man selling 75 cent loosies bc the article I read said he was out on bail, which means he went to jail on this ridiculous offense. Am i the only one that is bothered by the severity of this? After you purchase cigarettes don't they become personal property? Im not quite understanding how a law can be enforced dealing with the sale of your own personal property especially when the taxes have been paid on them, which is what they seem to be going crazy about. In a city, such as New York, I think it's very safe to say more important things were going on than the sale of a cigarette. Call me crazy. I guess I'm bothered a law is being implemented to dictate every aspect of our lives. I don't really feel that's the goal of a "free nation."
