Take action on Tobacco Taxes Louisiana
March 17, 2009
Take Action Now!
I'm sorry to inform everyone that Louisiana will be introducing a tax increase of $1 per pack on cigarettes. The legislature does not start until April 26th, 2009 so we still have time. I've included a alternate tax proposal created by Town Crier. Also, listed are the email addresses of all reps. and senators for the State of Louisiana. Please, take the time to copy and paste the address into an email and voice your opinion. Please, check back to www.thetowncrier.net for up to date information. To: Louisiana Lawmakers This has been a trying time with the economy the way it is. To make matters worse we are on the eve of a federal tax increase and possibly a state tax increase on tobacco products. We are a small multi-store company operating in four parishes of Louisiana. We employ almost 50 citizens in those four parishes. This is not the time for another increase on the tax of the products we sell. I can guarantee those 50 citizens will not have jobs by the end of 2009 if this industry has another increase. I’m writing to offer an alternative to increasing the tax on tobacco. Precedent has shown us that making the product more expensive is not going to greatly reduce its consumption. It will make it more dangerous for retailers and citizens to be around, and drive consumers to alternative methods of getting the products. I think it's time we talk about ways to keep cigarettes and tobacco products out of our kids’ hands while preserving the revenues Louisiana receives from tobacco. A little over two years ago the Louisiana Smoke Free Air Act was passed. This act was designed to keep second hand smoke away from our citizens and our children by limiting smoking to areas where adolescents (under 18 years of age) can not legally frequent. Now, is the time to go one step further? We need to make it a crime to ship tobacco products in the state to individuals, and we need to limit the stores where tobacco products can be marketed inside our state. It is time to limit tobacco sales to locations that do not allow anyone under the age of 18 into their establishment. It is time to remove cigarettes and tobacco products from the counters and point of sale back drops of gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and anywhere that allow persons under the age of 18 to enter. Louisiana needs face to transactions for tobacco products. It's the only way to be sure the consumer is of age. Safe and responsible tobacco retailing is something we pride ourselves on. According to the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco website there are over 6,000 current permits issued in the state of Louisiana allowing individuals to sell tobacco products. That is a lot of places for underage individuals to seek tobacco products or even be influenced by the marketing when they get food, gas, or even medicine. A $1 increase on the a pack of cigarettes would cost consumers an extra 277%. If we taxed gas prices at the same rate, it would be a no-brainier veto costing consumer over $6 a gallon. Increasing the taxes will just entice the criminals into marketing the products to our children.
--
Jonathan Drott
http://www.thetowncrier.net
House of Representatives: (instructions-- copy and paste email address in the "to:" line. write your opinion in letter format or use our pre-composed one below)
abramson@legis.state.la.us, larep021@legis.state.la.us, armesj@legis.state.la.us, larep102@legis.state.la.us, auberte@legis.state.la.us, larep100@legis.state.la.us, badonb@legis.state.la.us,larep053@legis.state.la.us, barrast@legis.state.la.us,larep029@legis.state.la.us, billiotr@legis.state.la.us,burfordr@legis.state.la.us, burnsh@legis.state.la.us,larep089@legis.state.la.us, larep002@legis.state.la.us,carmodyt@legis.state.la.us, carters@legis.state.la.us,champags@legis.state.la.us, larep022@legis.state.la.us,chaneyb@legis.state.la.us, connickp@legis.state.la.us,cortezp@legis.state.la.us, cromerg@legis.state.la.us,danahaym@legis.state.la.us, dixonh@legis.state.la.us,larep010@legis.state.la.us, larep052@legis.state.la.us,larep012@legis.state.la.us, edwardsj@legis.state.la.us,ellingtn@legis.state.la.us, larep094@legis.state.la.us,larep013@legis.state.la.us, foilf@legis.state.la.us,franklina@legis.state.la.us, larep011@legis.state.la.us,larep035@legis.state.la.us, gisclait@legis.state.la.us,larep066@legis.state.la.us, larep040@legis.state.la.us,larep041@legis.state.la.us, guinnj@legis.state.la.us,hardyr@legis.state.la.us, harrisoj@legis.state.la.us,hazelc@legis.state.la.us, hendersr@legis.state.la.us,henryc@legis.state.la.us, hilld@legis.state.la.us,hinesw@legis.state.la.us, hoffmanf@legis.state.la.us,ahoney@legis.state.la.us,howardf@legis.state.la.us, larep104@legis.state.la.us,jacksong@legis.state.la.us, larep061@legis.state.la.us,johnsoro@legis.state.la.us, jonesr@legis.state.la.us,joness@legis.state.la.us, larep016@legis.state.la.us,larep036@legis.state.la.us, larep081@legis.state.la.us,larep096@legis.state.la.us, larep059@legis.state.la.us,landryn@legis.state.la.us, lebasb@legis.state.la.us,legerw@legis.state.la.us, ligit@legis.state.la.us,littles@legis.state.la.us, lopintoj@legis.state.la.us,larep062@legis.state.la.us, larep046@legis.state.la.us,monican@legis.state.la.us, montoucj@legis.state.la.us,larep001@legis.state.la.us, nortonb@legis.state.la.us,nowlinr@legis.state.la.us, pearsonk@legis.state.la.us,perryj@legis.state.la.us, larep093@legis.state.la.us,pontie@legis.state.la.us, poper@legis.state.la.us,pughs@legis.state.la.us, richardj@legis.state.la.us,richardc@legis.state.la.us, larep101@legis.state.la.us,larep075@legis.state.la.us, larep045@legis.state.la.us,royc@legis.state.la.us, schrodej@legis.state.la.us,simons@legis.state.la.us, larep088@legis.state.la.us,larep008@legis.state.la.us, larep56@legis.state.la.us,smithp@legis.state.la.us, larep060@legis.state.la.us,larep099@legis.state.la.us, talbotk@legis.state.la.us,templetr@legis.state.la.us, thibautm@legis.state.la.us,larep086@legis.state.la.us, larep097@legis.state.la.us,larep005@legis.state.la.us, larep064@legis.state.la.us,larep004@legis.state.la.us, willmott@legis.state.la.us, larep105@legis.state.la.us
Dear House Representative, I'm concerned about the government's recent attack on tobacco products. A $1 increase on the a pack of cigarettes would cost consumers an extra 277%. With the economy in a downward spirial taxing consumer goods is not good for our local economy. I’m writing to offer an alternative to increasing the tax on tobacco. Precedent has shown us that making the product more expensive is not going to greatly reduce its consumption. It will make it more dangerous for retailers and citizens to be around, and drive consumers to alternative methods of getting the products. It is time to limit tobacco sales to locations that do not allow anyone under the age of 18 into their establishment. It is time to remove cigarettes and tobacco products from the counters and point of sale back drops of gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and anywhere that allow persons under the age of 18 to enter. Louisiana needs face to transactions for tobacco products. It's the only way to be sure the consumer is of age and the correct state taxes are being charged. Louisiana Citizen, [YOUR NAME HERE]
Senate Members: (instructions-- copy and paste email address in the "to:" line. write your opinion in letter format or use our pre-composed one below) adleyr@legis.state.la.us,alarioj@legis.state.la.us, amedeej@legis.state.la.us,appelc@legis.state.la.us, lasen15@legis.state.la.us,websen@legis.state.la.us, smithcheek@legis.state.la.us,crowea@legis.state.la.us, donahuej@legis.state.la.us,dorseyy@legis.state.la.us, duplessisa@legis.state.la.us,lasen20@legis.state.la.us, erdeyd@legis.state.la.us,gautreauxn@legis.state.la.us, lasen21@legis.state.la.us,grayc@legis.state.la.us, hebertt@legis.state.la.us,heitmeid@legis.state.la.us, jacksonl@legis.state.la.us,kostelka@legis.state.la.us, lafleure@legis.state.la.us,longg@legis.state.la.us, lasen17@legis.state.la.us,martinyd@legis.state.la.us, lasen29@legis.state.la.us,lasen23@legis.state.la.us, morrelljp@legis.state.la.us,morrishd@legis.state.la.us, lasen27@legis.state.la.us,murraye@legis.state.la.us, neversb@legis.state.la.us,quinnj@legis.state.la.us, risern@legis.state.la.us,shawb@legis.state.la.us, smithj@legis.state.la.us,thompsof@legis.state.la.us, walsworthm@legis.state.la.us
Dear Senator's, I'm concerned about the government's recent attack on tobacco products. A $1 increase on the a pack of cigarettes would cost consumers an extra 277%. With the economy in a downward spirial taxing consumer goods is not good for our local economy. I’m writing to offer an alternative to increasing the tax on tobacco. Precedent has shown us that making the product more expensive is not going to greatly reduce its consumption. It will make it more dangerous for retailers and citizens to be around, and drive consumers to alternative methods of getting the products. It is time to limit tobacco sales to locations that do not allow anyone under the age of 18 into their establishment. It is time to remove cigarettes and tobacco products from the counters and point of sale back drops of gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and anywhere that allow persons under the age of 18 to enter. Louisiana needs face to transactions for tobacco products. It's the only way to be sure the consumer is of age and the correct state taxes are being charged. Louisiana Citizen, [YOUR NAME HERE]
See the letters I've exchanged at http://www.thetowncrier.net/newsletter.aspx
Take Action Now!
I'm sorry to inform everyone that Louisiana will be introducing a tax increase of $1 per pack on cigarettes. The legislature does not start until April 26th, 2009 so we still have time. I've included a alternate tax proposal created by Town Crier. Also, listed are the email addresses of all reps. and senators for the State of Louisiana. Please, take the time to copy and paste the address into an email and voice your opinion. Please, check back to www.thetowncrier.net for up to date information. To: Louisiana Lawmakers This has been a trying time with the economy the way it is. To make matters worse we are on the eve of a federal tax increase and possibly a state tax increase on tobacco products. We are a small multi-store company operating in four parishes of Louisiana. We employ almost 50 citizens in those four parishes. This is not the time for another increase on the tax of the products we sell. I can guarantee those 50 citizens will not have jobs by the end of 2009 if this industry has another increase. I’m writing to offer an alternative to increasing the tax on tobacco. Precedent has shown us that making the product more expensive is not going to greatly reduce its consumption. It will make it more dangerous for retailers and citizens to be around, and drive consumers to alternative methods of getting the products. I think it's time we talk about ways to keep cigarettes and tobacco products out of our kids’ hands while preserving the revenues Louisiana receives from tobacco. A little over two years ago the Louisiana Smoke Free Air Act was passed. This act was designed to keep second hand smoke away from our citizens and our children by limiting smoking to areas where adolescents (under 18 years of age) can not legally frequent. Now, is the time to go one step further? We need to make it a crime to ship tobacco products in the state to individuals, and we need to limit the stores where tobacco products can be marketed inside our state. It is time to limit tobacco sales to locations that do not allow anyone under the age of 18 into their establishment. It is time to remove cigarettes and tobacco products from the counters and point of sale back drops of gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and anywhere that allow persons under the age of 18 to enter. Louisiana needs face to transactions for tobacco products. It's the only way to be sure the consumer is of age. Safe and responsible tobacco retailing is something we pride ourselves on. According to the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco website there are over 6,000 current permits issued in the state of Louisiana allowing individuals to sell tobacco products. That is a lot of places for underage individuals to seek tobacco products or even be influenced by the marketing when they get food, gas, or even medicine. A $1 increase on the a pack of cigarettes would cost consumers an extra 277%. If we taxed gas prices at the same rate, it would be a no-brainier veto costing consumer over $6 a gallon. Increasing the taxes will just entice the criminals into marketing the products to our children.
--
Jonathan Drott
http://www.thetowncrier.net
House of Representatives: (instructions-- copy and paste email address in the "to:" line. write your opinion in letter format or use our pre-composed one below)
abramson@legis.state.la.us, larep021@legis.state.la.us, armesj@legis.state.la.us, larep102@legis.state.la.us, auberte@legis.state.la.us, larep100@legis.state.la.us, badonb@legis.state.la.us,larep053@legis.state.la.us, barrast@legis.state.la.us,larep029@legis.state.la.us, billiotr@legis.state.la.us,burfordr@legis.state.la.us, burnsh@legis.state.la.us,larep089@legis.state.la.us, larep002@legis.state.la.us,carmodyt@legis.state.la.us, carters@legis.state.la.us,champags@legis.state.la.us, larep022@legis.state.la.us,chaneyb@legis.state.la.us, connickp@legis.state.la.us,cortezp@legis.state.la.us, cromerg@legis.state.la.us,danahaym@legis.state.la.us, dixonh@legis.state.la.us,larep010@legis.state.la.us, larep052@legis.state.la.us,larep012@legis.state.la.us, edwardsj@legis.state.la.us,ellingtn@legis.state.la.us, larep094@legis.state.la.us,larep013@legis.state.la.us, foilf@legis.state.la.us,franklina@legis.state.la.us, larep011@legis.state.la.us,larep035@legis.state.la.us, gisclait@legis.state.la.us,larep066@legis.state.la.us, larep040@legis.state.la.us,larep041@legis.state.la.us, guinnj@legis.state.la.us,hardyr@legis.state.la.us, harrisoj@legis.state.la.us,hazelc@legis.state.la.us, hendersr@legis.state.la.us,henryc@legis.state.la.us, hilld@legis.state.la.us,hinesw@legis.state.la.us, hoffmanf@legis.state.la.us,ahoney@legis.state.la.us,howardf@legis.state.la.us, larep104@legis.state.la.us,jacksong@legis.state.la.us, larep061@legis.state.la.us,johnsoro@legis.state.la.us, jonesr@legis.state.la.us,joness@legis.state.la.us, larep016@legis.state.la.us,larep036@legis.state.la.us, larep081@legis.state.la.us,larep096@legis.state.la.us, larep059@legis.state.la.us,landryn@legis.state.la.us, lebasb@legis.state.la.us,legerw@legis.state.la.us, ligit@legis.state.la.us,littles@legis.state.la.us, lopintoj@legis.state.la.us,larep062@legis.state.la.us, larep046@legis.state.la.us,monican@legis.state.la.us, montoucj@legis.state.la.us,larep001@legis.state.la.us, nortonb@legis.state.la.us,nowlinr@legis.state.la.us, pearsonk@legis.state.la.us,perryj@legis.state.la.us, larep093@legis.state.la.us,pontie@legis.state.la.us, poper@legis.state.la.us,pughs@legis.state.la.us, richardj@legis.state.la.us,richardc@legis.state.la.us, larep101@legis.state.la.us,larep075@legis.state.la.us, larep045@legis.state.la.us,royc@legis.state.la.us, schrodej@legis.state.la.us,simons@legis.state.la.us, larep088@legis.state.la.us,larep008@legis.state.la.us, larep56@legis.state.la.us,smithp@legis.state.la.us, larep060@legis.state.la.us,larep099@legis.state.la.us, talbotk@legis.state.la.us,templetr@legis.state.la.us, thibautm@legis.state.la.us,larep086@legis.state.la.us, larep097@legis.state.la.us,larep005@legis.state.la.us, larep064@legis.state.la.us,larep004@legis.state.la.us, willmott@legis.state.la.us, larep105@legis.state.la.us
Dear House Representative, I'm concerned about the government's recent attack on tobacco products. A $1 increase on the a pack of cigarettes would cost consumers an extra 277%. With the economy in a downward spirial taxing consumer goods is not good for our local economy. I’m writing to offer an alternative to increasing the tax on tobacco. Precedent has shown us that making the product more expensive is not going to greatly reduce its consumption. It will make it more dangerous for retailers and citizens to be around, and drive consumers to alternative methods of getting the products. It is time to limit tobacco sales to locations that do not allow anyone under the age of 18 into their establishment. It is time to remove cigarettes and tobacco products from the counters and point of sale back drops of gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and anywhere that allow persons under the age of 18 to enter. Louisiana needs face to transactions for tobacco products. It's the only way to be sure the consumer is of age and the correct state taxes are being charged. Louisiana Citizen, [YOUR NAME HERE]
Senate Members: (instructions-- copy and paste email address in the "to:" line. write your opinion in letter format or use our pre-composed one below) adleyr@legis.state.la.us,alarioj@legis.state.la.us, amedeej@legis.state.la.us,appelc@legis.state.la.us, lasen15@legis.state.la.us,websen@legis.state.la.us, smithcheek@legis.state.la.us,crowea@legis.state.la.us, donahuej@legis.state.la.us,dorseyy@legis.state.la.us, duplessisa@legis.state.la.us,lasen20@legis.state.la.us, erdeyd@legis.state.la.us,gautreauxn@legis.state.la.us, lasen21@legis.state.la.us,grayc@legis.state.la.us, hebertt@legis.state.la.us,heitmeid@legis.state.la.us, jacksonl@legis.state.la.us,kostelka@legis.state.la.us, lafleure@legis.state.la.us,longg@legis.state.la.us, lasen17@legis.state.la.us,martinyd@legis.state.la.us, lasen29@legis.state.la.us,lasen23@legis.state.la.us, morrelljp@legis.state.la.us,morrishd@legis.state.la.us, lasen27@legis.state.la.us,murraye@legis.state.la.us, neversb@legis.state.la.us,quinnj@legis.state.la.us, risern@legis.state.la.us,shawb@legis.state.la.us, smithj@legis.state.la.us,thompsof@legis.state.la.us, walsworthm@legis.state.la.us
Dear Senator's, I'm concerned about the government's recent attack on tobacco products. A $1 increase on the a pack of cigarettes would cost consumers an extra 277%. With the economy in a downward spirial taxing consumer goods is not good for our local economy. I’m writing to offer an alternative to increasing the tax on tobacco. Precedent has shown us that making the product more expensive is not going to greatly reduce its consumption. It will make it more dangerous for retailers and citizens to be around, and drive consumers to alternative methods of getting the products. It is time to limit tobacco sales to locations that do not allow anyone under the age of 18 into their establishment. It is time to remove cigarettes and tobacco products from the counters and point of sale back drops of gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and anywhere that allow persons under the age of 18 to enter. Louisiana needs face to transactions for tobacco products. It's the only way to be sure the consumer is of age and the correct state taxes are being charged. Louisiana Citizen, [YOUR NAME HERE]
See the letters I've exchanged at http://www.thetowncrier.net/newsletter.aspx
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