for those of you who have or do purchase cigarettes online read this

[mesue]

State and federal law enforcement officials have reached agreement with credit card companies to prevent the illegal sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products over the Internet. The illegal sales have drained state and federal tax revenues and made cigarettes freely available to minors

The rest of this can be read at this link
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/tobacco_ags.html

So now the credit card companies are dictating to you how to use your money and forcing you to buy where they want you too. For those of you who have purchased in the past, some people are worried they might be coming after you to make you pay. I don't know how real this worry would be but read the article. Anyway if this is old news, I'm sorry but found this and thought I would share. Sorry that it is bad news.

[buttrfli]

Yea, the place I use sent e-mails out last week :(

I think they should all just start accepting paypal lol

Here is the e-mail I got:

Dear Valued Customer, 4/12/2005





As you may have heard, the States Attorneys General are putting pressure upon the major credit card companies to prohibit on-line merchants that sell tobacco products from accepting credit cards as payment.



Because of this pressure, our current Credit Card processor has given us notice that they will stop processing as of 04/18/2005.



We are currently negotiating with another Credit Card processor, and are also preparing to implement an Electronic Check payment method. This is referred to as "Echeck", and is very similar to paying with a credit card. The consumer simply enters their Bank routing number and their account number.

However, because of the short notice, we may not have everything implemented by 4/18/2005, and as a result may not be able to take Credit Cards as payment from 4/18/2005 to 4/25/2005.



We would like to encourage you to purchase our Store Dollars, which can then be used to place orders while we have this disruption in service.



As an incentive to purchase Store Dollars before 4/18/2005, we are offering the following promotion:



Purchase $250.00 of Store Dollars and receive an additional $15.00 of free Store Dollars.

Purchase $500.00 of Store Dollars and receive an additional $ 30.00 of free Store Dollars.
Purchase $750.00 of Store Dollars and receive an additional $ 50.00 of free Store Dollars.
Purchase $1000.00 of Store Dollars and receive an additional $ 75.00 of free Store Dollars.



These additional free Store Dollars will be credited to your account during the week of 4/24/2005.





As a Native American enterprise based on sovereign tribal lands it is our contention that we have every right to sell consumers tobacco products.

[cleaningla]

I mailed a money order. No big deal, but think they should go after all stores that don't charge taxes.

[twinkiesmom]

In my town, there's a lady that got a letter from the Government. Sez she owes over 3K in back taxes for online smokes. OMG, could u imagine getting a letter like that?

[YankeeMary]

In my town, there's a lady that got a letter from the Government. Sez she owes over 3K in back taxes for online smokes. OMG, could u imagine getting a letter like that?
I would be furious, especially at the CC company for supplying the government my records. What happened to the privacy act? Know what I mean. I would think they could get into trouble for that but probably not, our government to do as it pleases. Very very wrong IMO.

[freebielover]

Whats wrong with that? If you're not paying taxes on them by getting them online then its illegal and should be stopped. Those taxes help educate children and stop them from ever starting. Plus if it makes it harder for kids to get them then its a good thing. I think cigarettes should be illegal anyways, thank god my state banned people from smoking in public, its disgusting. Just my opinion guys, my sister has asthma and I've seen her rushed to the hospital too many times because some jerk couldn't wait to light up.

[buttrfli]

Whats wrong with that? If you're not paying taxes on them by getting them online then its illegal and should be stopped. Those taxes help educate children and stop them from ever starting. Plus if it makes it harder for kids to get them then its a good thing. I think cigarettes should be illegal anyways, thank god my state banned people from smoking in public, its disgusting. Just my opinion guys, my sister has asthma and I've seen her rushed to the hospital too many times because some jerk couldn't wait to light up.

Smoke shops on Indian land are exempt from certain state/federal taxes... so now that people are buying from those places online, the government has figured out other ways to get their money.

I realize that there are people who are passioante about not somking and that is all well and good, but if they make smoking illegal, whats next?? Soda w/ caffeine in it? I should be able to do whatever I want to do in my home. I smoke in public, but ONLY in designated smoking areas outside. (You can't smoke in any public building here) If non smokers don't want to breath my smoke then they don't have to walk through the smoking area.

I think that people who are passionate about not smoking have very valid feelings about it, but also remember that smokers have valid feelings as well.

[YankeeMary]

Whats wrong with that? If you're not paying taxes on them by getting them online then its illegal and should be stopped. Those taxes help educate children and stop them from ever starting. Plus if it makes it harder for kids to get them then its a good thing. I think cigarettes should be illegal anyways, thank god my state banned people from smoking in public, its disgusting. Just my opinion guys, my sister has asthma and I've seen her rushed to the hospital too many times because some jerk couldn't wait to light up.
hmmm...I am thankful you aren't in a position to write laws. I am not allergic to smoke, but I am perfume. So maybe it should be banned from publuc as well. And why we are on it, I do not drink and but alot do then they drive then they endanger my family, so maybe alcohol should be ban also. Hmmm, let me think, what I can ban to make my life better? I don't like color yellow so maybe that should be ban, for I think it is disgusting. Seems unreasonable to those that like yellow, same goes for anything else.

[stresseater]

Fortunatly I live smack dab in the middle of indian territory so I am only paying $17.50 a carton here. Granted they are generic(mavericks) but hey I'll smoke em. :)

[gal3m]

hmmm...I am thankful you aren't in a position to write laws. I am not allergic to smoke, but I am perfume. So maybe it should be banned from publuc as well. And why we are on it, I do not drink and but alot do then they drive then they endanger my family, so maybe alcohol should be ban also. Hmmm, let me think, what I can ban to make my life better? I don't like color yellow so maybe that should be ban, for I think it is disgusting. Seems unreasonable to those that like yellow, same goes for anything else.

ITA. Well, let's see...I don't like orange..I guess we are going to have to ban that color as well. :rolleyes: Ok, everyone, no one can wear yellow and/or orange because it is against our RIGHTS to have to look at those disgusting colors. :rolleyes: :eek:

[aneisu]

No one said they should be illegal - just that those who smoke should pay taxes on them. If by purchasing them online people are avoiding taxes - then that's wrong. Not to mention children have easier access - that's not good for anyone! You can't buy alcohol online to avoid taxes or age validation - why should you be able to buy cigarettes?

[JKATHERINE]

Next they'll try taxing ALL of our online purchases. :eek:

As of right now, I only pay taxes to online stores that actually have a B&M store in my state. Am I wrong for purchasing an item online (tax free) that I could actually get in my local WalMart (and pay taxes on)? Or how about when I go to NH in the summertime and purchase items there? NH has no sales tax, but had I bought those items in Maine, I'd have paid 6%...

This could be a very interesting subject. :)

[YankeeMary]

No one said they should be illegal - just that those who smoke should pay taxes on them. If by purchasing them online people are avoiding taxes - then that's wrong. Not to mention children have easier access - that's not good for anyone! You can't buy alcohol online to avoid taxes or age validation - why should you be able to buy cigarettes?
Not if they are purchased from a State/Reservation that tax doesn't apply!!! For those of you that don't smoke, I pat you on the back and glad you have the right not to smoke and you can exercise that right. No step back and allow me to exercise my right. If I chose to smoke you have no right to try to make me not. Geez...seems freedom only applies to a select few. I must say I agree with JKatherine. I have seen some of you on the fsot board, and noticed you didn't pay taxes there? Sure doesn't seem fair to not pay them...hmmm once again it only applies to a select few. And whats wrong with buying cigarettes from the Indians? I know the government can't make any money off of it.

[buttrfli]

Fortunatly I live smack dab in the middle of indian territory so I am only paying $17.50 a carton here. Granted they are generic(mavericks) but hey I'll smoke em. :)


Same here.. I WAS paying $10/carton before the Jan 1st tax, so I started going online and buyingthem for $9.

The cheapest carton I can find here is $17 - $20 for generics... yet I still think thats too much LOL

[cleaningla]

No one said they should be illegal - just that those who smoke should pay taxes on them. If by purchasing them online people are avoiding taxes - then that's wrong. Not to mention children have easier access - that's not good for anyone! You can't buy alcohol online to avoid taxes or age validation - why should you be able to buy cigarettes?

Paying a 7% sales tax would be one thing, but a tax that is 50-70% is excessive.

Anyone who has ever played sim city knows that when the rate gets to high people go elsewhere and the tax revenue goes down instead of up.

The taxes are to high.

It's even higher than that in some states. Cigarettes without tax are only like $1.50 with tax they are $5.00 in some places. I'm not good at math, isn't that like 250%?

[buttrfli]

Not if they are purchased from a State/Reservation that tax doesn't apply!!! For those of you that don't smoke, I pat you on the back and glad you have the right not to smoke and you can exercise that right. No step back and allow me to exercise my right. If I chose to smoke you have no right to try to make me not. Geez...seems freedom only applies to a select few. I must say I agree with JKatherine. I have seen some of you on the fsot board, and noticed you didn't pay taxes there? Sure doesn't seem fair to not pay them...hmmm once again it only applies to a select few. And whats wrong with buying cigarettes from the Indians? I know the government can't make any money off of it.

http://members.cox.net/buttrflipics/yelclap.gif

[buttrfli]

No one said they should be illegal - just that those who smoke should pay taxes on them. If by purchasing them online people are avoiding taxes - then that's wrong. Not to mention children have easier access - that's not good for anyone! You can't buy alcohol online to avoid taxes or age validation - why should you be able to buy cigarettes?

Kids have been getting cigs since way before the internet and they will continue to do so. I don't necessarily agree with it, but the internet dosen't make it eaiser. It may actually make it harder... in order them to order them online, they have to go through an ID process. If they get through that, when the pkg is delivered someone over the age of 18 has to sign for it. The UPS actually ID's me everytime LOL I certainly look older than 18, but he told me that if he dosen't ID me then it can possibly cost him his job...

Thats another reason I buy online... I enjoy being ID'd :D

[freebielover]

Wow I wasn't trying to ruffle any feathers with my post. I didn't realize that y'all were buying from an Indian Reservation and my comment that it should be illegal was just a comment, doesn't mean anything. Sorry to have an opinion and actually care about peoples health. Tell me all of you wouldn't love to stop smoking. Well, have a good day everyone lol.

[justme23]

Does anyone have Showtime (I think it is). If so, I encourage you all to watch the Penn and Teller show called BS (or... the word that would be censored anyways). I found some very interesting things out. For instance, the major study that says that second hand smoke is worse? It's BS... it's NOT true at all. The ppl who wrote it even admit that they lied and smudged their statistics before publishing it... but ppl like to stick w/ it as a way to infringe on others rights. They also had quite a bit of interesting statistics... I would post them, but I can not positively quote them and I do not want to give misinformation. At any rate... I could care less if ppl buy cigarettes online... I just think they should have a minimum tax on them (say, whatever the tax rate it is in the state w/ the lowest rate)... However, unless you live near an indian reservation, I really do not think cigs should be tax free (and yes, I DO smoke)... the taxes on cigs go mostly to education (or are supposed to) and I don't think our kids should suffer any worse than they already do when it comes to their educations... in all fairness, I've seen many ppl on here complain about the lousy educations and how little money the schools have... and some of you are in here very proud of yourselves for getting your cigs tax free... essentially removing more money from schools.

This is just my opinion... but thankfully, like everybody else, I'm allowed to have it...

[YankeeMary]

Does anyone have Showtime (I think it is). If so, I encourage you all to watch the Penn and Teller show called BS (or... the word that would be censored anyways). I found some very interesting things out. For instance, the major study that says that second hand smoke is worse? It's BS... it's NOT true at all. The ppl who wrote it even admit that they lied and smudged their statistics before publishing it... but ppl like to stick w/ it as a way to infringe on others rights. They also had quite a bit of interesting statistics... I would post them, but I can not positively quote them and I do not want to give misinformation. At any rate... I could care less if ppl buy cigarettes online... I just think they should have a minimum tax on them (say, whatever the tax rate it is in the state w/ the lowest rate)... However, unless you live near an indian reservation, I really do not think cigs should be tax free (and yes, I DO smoke)... the taxes on cigs go mostly to education (or are supposed to) and I don't think our kids should suffer any worse than they already do when it comes to their educations... in all fairness, I've seen many ppl on here complain about the lousy educations and how little money the schools have... and some of you are in here very proud of yourselves for getting your cigs tax free... essentially removing more money from schools.

This is just my opinion... but thankfully, like everybody else, I'm allowed to have it...
I am sure you have seen me complain of the schools, but not because of lack of money. Our school system is very wealthy. For the record our school just received a bond for 170 MILLION dollars!!! Thats alot of money.

As for taxes on cigerattes to pay for education is not right either, kinda 2 faced. Don't smoke, it will kill you, thats what they are taught in school, yet the taxes from cigs pay for the education...hmmmm a bit messed up in my opinion. What if everyone in the nation quite smoking? How will the kids be educated? Scarey thought...lol.

[YankeeMary]

Wow I wasn't trying to ruffle any feathers with my post. I didn't realize that y'all were buying from an Indian Reservation and my comment that it should be illegal was just a comment, doesn't mean anything. Sorry to have an opinion and actually care about peoples health. Tell me all of you wouldn't love to stop smoking. Well, have a good day everyone lol.
I choose to smoke, so no I can't say I would love to stop smoking. Granted it might be hard to stop, but I don't know, I have never had a desire to quit. Thats the truth. And I am not saying you personally, but most people complain about smoking not because of the health risk but because it stinks. I am sure the ones that complain the loudest, over indulge in alcohol, which is a health risk. They also eat unhealthy (fast food), and probably rarely if ever exercise, which again is very unhealthy.

And for the record. I haven't ordered cigs online. I just think its wrong that the government is continuing to suck the blood out of the Indian people. Enough is enough leave them alone.

[justme23]

I am sure you have seen me complain of the schools, but not because of lack of money. Our school system is very wealthy. For the record our school just received a bond for 170 MILLION dollars!!! Thats alot of money.

As for taxes on cigerattes to pay for education is not right either, kinda 2 faced. Don't smoke, it will kill you, thats what they are taught in school, yet the taxes from cigs pay for the education...hmmmm a bit messed up in my opinion. What if everyone in the nation quite smoking? How will the kids be educated? Scarey thought...lol.

I do not recall mentioning any one specific person... and who cares what they are taught in school about cigarettes... the fact remains, several ppl in this thread complain about their childrens schools not having the money to buy basic supplies, yet they don't want to pay taxes on cigarettes... doesn't matter whether anyone thinks it's two faced... all that matters is what happens... until the laws change and taxes from cigs no longer go to schools, then whether it's two faced or not is moot.

And maybe I don't understand the concept of tax free as far as Indian Reservations are concerned... if it's tax free (their casinos are too, aren't they?), then how is the govt sucking the blood out of them? Surely if the govt was making them pay taxes on them, then that would reflect on their prices... someone explain how this works.

[buttrfli]

And maybe I don't understand the concept of tax free as far as Indian Reservations are concerned... if it's tax free (their casinos are too, aren't they?), then how is the govt sucking the blood out of them? Surely if the govt was making them pay taxes on them, then that would reflect on their prices... someone explain how this works.

There is one tax that they pay (I am sorry it is early and I can't remember tha name of it) but yes, they do have a tax.. but they aren't taxed by the gov for this and by the city for this and that.

I pay all kinds of OTHER taxes in my city for education purposes. We live in one of the best districts in the state and turst me... I pay property tax out of hiney! It is double from our old place JUST because of the schools. I complain all the time about my kids' schools, but it has never had anything to do with the schools not having money.

I also think that using tax money from cigs to help fund schools is backward.... lets also use the sales from guns and at the next gun show lets have a kids section.. complete with toy guns so that the kids know where their educaytion REALLY comes from. :rolleyes:

Like Mary said earlier... a lot of you guys don't pay tax for things that you buy online, why should cigs be any different? Should we start taxing Jane for the candles she buys on the FSOT board? And if so, how much is too much?

I don't buy online to avoid paying all taxes, I buy online to avaoin paying the $1.20 per pack tax in my state. Thats a bit excessive. Around 8% is fine.. you won't hear a peep out of me, but 40%? Give me a break. If the state started charging everyone 40% tax on a can of soda or coffee (insert your pleasure here) everyone would be throwing a fit.

[YankeeMary]

I do not recall mentioning any one specific person... and who cares what they are taught in school about cigarettes... the fact remains, several ppl in this thread complain about their childrens schools not having the money to buy basic supplies, yet they don't want to pay taxes on cigarettes... doesn't matter whether anyone thinks it's two faced... all that matters is what happens... until the laws change and taxes from cigs no longer go to schools, then whether it's two faced or not is moot.

And maybe I don't understand the concept of tax free as far as Indian Reservations are concerned... if it's tax free (their casinos are too, aren't they?), then how is the govt sucking the blood out of them? Surely if the govt was making them pay taxes on them, then that would reflect on their prices... someone explain how this works.
Ok you wanna split hairs....no you didn't say any specific person, I volunteered that I have complained about the schools.
I care what they are taught in school about cigerattes. I didn't say I didn't want to pay taxes on cigs, I said it was two faced and IT IS and it isn't moot! Basically, cigs kill, but thats ok because we will use the money from the sale of them to educate. The irony there to me IN MY OPINION, not yours is hysterical. My opinion is just as important as yours and I didn't say yours was moot. Once again only a few select are allowed to have an opinon.
In case you do not know history or the tales of the Indians, they once had claim to the land, now they get reservations...where jobs are few...so obviously the government once again steps in and SUCKS THE BLOOD from the American Indians. Like I said I DO NOT ORDER CIGARETTES ONLINE, so my taxes are paid (way more then should be legal) but I think it is pretty crappy that the Indians are forever getting dumped on. As far as the casinos go I have no idea if they are taxed or not, I hope they aren't!!! We owe the Indians more then they will ever be repaid.

[cSoReNSoN]

I choose to smoke, so no I can't say I would love to stop smoking. Granted it might be hard to stop, but I don't know, I have never had a desire to quit. Thats the truth. And I am not saying you personally, but most people complain about smoking not because of the health risk but because it stinks. I am sure the ones that complain the loudest, over indulge in alcohol, which is a health risk. They also eat unhealthy (fast food), and probably rarely if ever exercise, which again is very unhealthy.

And for the record. I haven't ordered cigs online. I just think its wrong that the government is continuing to suck the blood out of the Indian people. Enough is enough leave them alone.

Non-smoker here. Big opponent of smoking due to health concerns. Smell is a secondary concern. I lost a grandfather to smoking related illnesses, 20 years after he stopped smoking. Needless to say, I was encouraged to never start the habit. I am a non-drinker. I rarely eat fast food, as it does not appeal to me. I am active and fit. I eat a healthy diet (low cholesterol, no meat, low in sugar, low fats (trans and saturated). I grew up in a non-smoking environment, so I suppose that contributes to my stance as well.

[YankeeMary]

Non-smoker here. Big opponent of smoking due to health concerns. Smell is a secondary concern. I lost a grandfather to smoking related illnesses, 20 years after he stopped smoking. Needless to say, I was encouraged to never start the habit. I am a non-drinker. I rarely eat fast food, as it does not appeal to me. I am active and fit. I eat a healthy diet (low cholesterol, no meat, low in sugar, low fats (trans and saturated). I grew up in a non-smoking environment, so I suppose that contributes to my stance as well.
I think that it is wonderful that you so all this for your health...I am a bit envious. But you are one out of most. It is just ridiculous that people expect others to not smoke because they do not like it. Its wrong to infringe on anyones rights for any reason.