Ann Marie Bossard, representative of the Anthracite Newstand, has observed that the sales of flavored smoking products increase as the price of cigarettes has jumped and the economy has slowed. So teen and women are the major tobacco customers. As she spoke several days ago about the wide range of flavored cigars currently available, from vanilla to cherry, rum to mango, Avery Bradford came in to purchase a package of Cafe Creme Italian Macchiato cigars. The 18-year-old stated he likes more the flavored cigars than other smoking products and the cost of $4.79 is much lower than on the majority cigarettes. He stated that his peers also indulge in the flavored-smoking products.
Bradford is a perfect illustration of why Pennsylvania and other states are faltering when it comes to combating Big Tobacco and stopping manufacturers from advertising tobacco products to a young generation of potential smokers. At $1.60, Pennsylvania is below the figures in nearby regions which includes Maryland with $2; New Jersey -$2.70 and New York, which at $4.35, has the greatest excise tax in the country. Nevertheless it wasn’t the tobacco tax rate that raised the anger of the association. In fact it was its shortage of taxes on tobacco products such as cigars, smokeless tobacco and hookah tobacco.
Pennsylvania is the one state that never taxes these tobacco products, though it thinks to make small cigars regarded as cigarettes for taxation reasons. “By not obtaining a level playing field with tobacco taxes, we are viewing market changes from cigarettes to lower taxed and consequently more lower-priced smoking products. This signifies that candy-flavored cigars are alluring future generation to become hooked on nicotine,” stated Paul G. Billings representative of the American Lung Association.
Even though flavored cigars were available practically at the same price range as particular cigarette brands, a lot of them were less than $2, so people see difference and choose those products determined by that difference. It is evident that the inexpensive flavored tobacco products led to more sales. “We are confronted with a powerful, ever-evolving tobacco industry that’s decided to keep its market share at the cost of our children and present smokers,” stated Billings.
Bossard mentioned she didn’t consider instituting a tax on cigars and other smoking products would demonstrate to a decrease in sales. “It wouldn’t change anything,” she concluded.
