Andi
07-13-2004, 04:35 PM
MySmokersRights membership continues to grow, and we would like to welcome new members to our elite group of proactive smokers who are taking a firm stand for their rights and are seeing results from their actions. We are determined to keep you and all our members informed of issues affecting adult smokers. And since there is strength in numbers, we encourage our membership to pass along this newsletter to friends or family members concerned about smokers' rights. Tell them about www.MySmokersRights.com and urge them to visit and join. The more our membership expands, the better our chances are of defeating unfair smoking laws and taxes across the nation.
Let's take a look at the current landscape:
Cigarette Tax Increase Legislation
Except for a handful of states that are in session year round, the 2004 legislative season is pretty much over. But during the heat of this year's legislative sessions, MSR members played a pivotal role in defeating proposed tax increases in 20 states [amounts are per pack]: Arkansas (10¢), Colorado (50¢), Connecticut (54¢), Hawaii (20¢), Iowa (60¢), Kansas (14¢), Kentucky (75¢), Maine (75¢), Maryland (50¢), Minnesota ($1.00), Mississippi (50¢), Missouri (55¢), New Hampshire ($1.00), Ohio (19¢), South Carolina (53¢), Tennessee (10¢), Texas ($1.00), Utah (4¢), West Virginia (20¢), and Wisconsin (10¢).
As of Tuesday, July 13, 4 states have adopted new cigarette tax increases including [amounts are per pack]: Alabama (26¢, from 16.5 to 42.5¢), Michigan (75¢, from $1.25 to $2.00), New Jersey (35¢, from $2.05 to $2.40) and Virginia (17.5¢ on 8/1/04; 10¢ on 7/1/05, from 2.5¢ to 30¢).
Of interest on the local level, commissioners in Cook County, IL, passed an 82¢-per-pack tax increase on 2/24 that has already caused a 50% drop in cigarette sales, as smokers drive to surrounding counties to escape the tax. You didn't need a crystal ball to see that coming.
Exceptional Effort in Michigan
The cigarette tax in Michigan increased 75¢ per pack to $2.00 on 7/1/04, but MSR members should take pride in their outstanding efforts on this issue. Over 1,500 e-mails were sent urging legislators to reject the tax increase -- a valiant effort! MySmokersRights made multiple requests of Michigan MSR members, and without hesitation, they doggedly contacted their state leaders. As our membership continues to grow, MySmokersRights will have a greater impact on smoker issues. And in the future, smoker tax increases like Michigan's can be defeated.
Tax Threats Still an Issue in 2004
A cigarette tax increase passed by the Rhode Island legislature (75¢ per pack) as part of the budget plan was vetoed by Governor Carcieri. If the legislature follows its 2003 course of action, it will override the governor's veto and the tax will go into effect, retroactively to 7/1/04.
A smoker tax increase passed the Alaska legislature (60¢ per pack on 1/1/05; 20¢ on 7/1/06; 20¢ on 7/1/07, from $1.00 to $2.00) during a 3-day special session in June. The bill awaits transmission to Governor Fletcher who is expected to sign the bill.
A tax increase is still pending in North Carolina (70¢ per pack); however, it's unlikely to advance this session. If this situation escalates, MySmokersRights will notify our North Carolina membership and encourage you to take action. If not in 2004, the 2005 session is sure to see a push to increase the North Carolina tax. So, continue to watch for MSR updates.
Ballot Initiatives and Referendums
Voters in Oklahoma (Referendum 336/Question 713 - 80¢ per pack) will decide the fate of a cigarette tax increase during the November 2nd election.
Anti-smokers in Colorado (64¢ per pack) continue to gather the 67,820 signatures necessary to place a cigarette tax increase on the November ballot, and they are likely to meet their goal ahead of schedule.
A Montana group is confident they have enough signatures to place a cigarette tax increase (Initiative 149 - $1.00 per pack) on the ballot. The group has sent the signatures to local county elections officials for preliminary consent. Once the counties sign off on the petitions, they will advance to the Secretary of State for final approval.
With these three ballot issues looming, we at MySmokersRights would like to reiterate the importance of going to the polls and voting for those who represent your values and on issues that affect your rights. If you are not a registered voter, we encourage you to register immediately. Simply click on the link above or visit www.MySmokersRights.com and click on the "Register to Vote" banner at the top of the homepage. After just four easy steps, you'll be a registered voter who can participate in the election process. Your vote does make a difference! It is your right, your privilege, and your responsibility as an American and as a smoker - PLEASE REGISTER AND VOTE.
Smoking Ban Legislation
Statewide smoking restrictions failed to pass in several states in 2004, including Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska and Tennessee.
"The squeaky wheel gets the grease." It's no secret that anti-smokers are squeaking the loudest to their elected officials right now; and, unfortunately, in the following cases, their legislators listened. That needs to change - and MySmokersRights is ready to help.
On 7/1/04, Idaho's new statewide smoking ban, which forbids smoking in all restaurants, went into effect.
As of 7/5/04, Massachusetts forbids smoking in any restaurant or bar in the state. Private clubs and cigar bars are exempt. The legislature had resisted the idea of a statewide smoking ban for several years, but on 6/1/04 the House of Representatives gave final approval to a Senate compromise bill. Governor Romney signed the legislation on 6/18.
On 7/1/04, Rhode Island Governor Carcieri signed into law new smoking ban regulations for most public places, including restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. The ban will take effect on 3/1/05. Some private clubs and small neighborhood bars will be exempt from the ban until 10/1/06. The state's two Video Lottery Terminal parlors, Lincoln Park and Newport Grand, are permanently exempt from the ban until anti-smoking activists can regroup and try again. Both chambers of the Rhode Island Legislature unanimously approved the legislation in June.
States still considering smoking bans include Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As with cigarette tax increases, if the situation in any of these states becomes more critical, MySmokersRights will notify our membership and encourage you to take action.
If a smoking ban is under consideration in your community, don't hesitate to contact your city council member and voice your opinion. And don't underestimate the impact you can have if you show up at a council meeting and speak out against unfair smoking bans. Legislation is currently being considered in the following communities; North Little Rock, AR; Eagle County, CO; Atlanta, GA; Peachtree City, GA; Rockdale County, GA; Marshall County, IN; Owensboro, KY; Charles County, MD; Kensington, MD; Bloomington, MN; Duluth, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Ramsey County, MN; Springfield, MO; Bellevue, NE; Grand Island, NE; Omaha, NE; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Findlay, OH; Ohio County, WV; Wayne County, WV; Marshfield, WI; and Price County, WI.
Let's take a look at the current landscape:
Cigarette Tax Increase Legislation
Except for a handful of states that are in session year round, the 2004 legislative season is pretty much over. But during the heat of this year's legislative sessions, MSR members played a pivotal role in defeating proposed tax increases in 20 states [amounts are per pack]: Arkansas (10¢), Colorado (50¢), Connecticut (54¢), Hawaii (20¢), Iowa (60¢), Kansas (14¢), Kentucky (75¢), Maine (75¢), Maryland (50¢), Minnesota ($1.00), Mississippi (50¢), Missouri (55¢), New Hampshire ($1.00), Ohio (19¢), South Carolina (53¢), Tennessee (10¢), Texas ($1.00), Utah (4¢), West Virginia (20¢), and Wisconsin (10¢).
As of Tuesday, July 13, 4 states have adopted new cigarette tax increases including [amounts are per pack]: Alabama (26¢, from 16.5 to 42.5¢), Michigan (75¢, from $1.25 to $2.00), New Jersey (35¢, from $2.05 to $2.40) and Virginia (17.5¢ on 8/1/04; 10¢ on 7/1/05, from 2.5¢ to 30¢).
Of interest on the local level, commissioners in Cook County, IL, passed an 82¢-per-pack tax increase on 2/24 that has already caused a 50% drop in cigarette sales, as smokers drive to surrounding counties to escape the tax. You didn't need a crystal ball to see that coming.
Exceptional Effort in Michigan
The cigarette tax in Michigan increased 75¢ per pack to $2.00 on 7/1/04, but MSR members should take pride in their outstanding efforts on this issue. Over 1,500 e-mails were sent urging legislators to reject the tax increase -- a valiant effort! MySmokersRights made multiple requests of Michigan MSR members, and without hesitation, they doggedly contacted their state leaders. As our membership continues to grow, MySmokersRights will have a greater impact on smoker issues. And in the future, smoker tax increases like Michigan's can be defeated.
Tax Threats Still an Issue in 2004
A cigarette tax increase passed by the Rhode Island legislature (75¢ per pack) as part of the budget plan was vetoed by Governor Carcieri. If the legislature follows its 2003 course of action, it will override the governor's veto and the tax will go into effect, retroactively to 7/1/04.
A smoker tax increase passed the Alaska legislature (60¢ per pack on 1/1/05; 20¢ on 7/1/06; 20¢ on 7/1/07, from $1.00 to $2.00) during a 3-day special session in June. The bill awaits transmission to Governor Fletcher who is expected to sign the bill.
A tax increase is still pending in North Carolina (70¢ per pack); however, it's unlikely to advance this session. If this situation escalates, MySmokersRights will notify our North Carolina membership and encourage you to take action. If not in 2004, the 2005 session is sure to see a push to increase the North Carolina tax. So, continue to watch for MSR updates.
Ballot Initiatives and Referendums
Voters in Oklahoma (Referendum 336/Question 713 - 80¢ per pack) will decide the fate of a cigarette tax increase during the November 2nd election.
Anti-smokers in Colorado (64¢ per pack) continue to gather the 67,820 signatures necessary to place a cigarette tax increase on the November ballot, and they are likely to meet their goal ahead of schedule.
A Montana group is confident they have enough signatures to place a cigarette tax increase (Initiative 149 - $1.00 per pack) on the ballot. The group has sent the signatures to local county elections officials for preliminary consent. Once the counties sign off on the petitions, they will advance to the Secretary of State for final approval.
With these three ballot issues looming, we at MySmokersRights would like to reiterate the importance of going to the polls and voting for those who represent your values and on issues that affect your rights. If you are not a registered voter, we encourage you to register immediately. Simply click on the link above or visit www.MySmokersRights.com and click on the "Register to Vote" banner at the top of the homepage. After just four easy steps, you'll be a registered voter who can participate in the election process. Your vote does make a difference! It is your right, your privilege, and your responsibility as an American and as a smoker - PLEASE REGISTER AND VOTE.
Smoking Ban Legislation
Statewide smoking restrictions failed to pass in several states in 2004, including Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska and Tennessee.
"The squeaky wheel gets the grease." It's no secret that anti-smokers are squeaking the loudest to their elected officials right now; and, unfortunately, in the following cases, their legislators listened. That needs to change - and MySmokersRights is ready to help.
On 7/1/04, Idaho's new statewide smoking ban, which forbids smoking in all restaurants, went into effect.
As of 7/5/04, Massachusetts forbids smoking in any restaurant or bar in the state. Private clubs and cigar bars are exempt. The legislature had resisted the idea of a statewide smoking ban for several years, but on 6/1/04 the House of Representatives gave final approval to a Senate compromise bill. Governor Romney signed the legislation on 6/18.
On 7/1/04, Rhode Island Governor Carcieri signed into law new smoking ban regulations for most public places, including restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. The ban will take effect on 3/1/05. Some private clubs and small neighborhood bars will be exempt from the ban until 10/1/06. The state's two Video Lottery Terminal parlors, Lincoln Park and Newport Grand, are permanently exempt from the ban until anti-smoking activists can regroup and try again. Both chambers of the Rhode Island Legislature unanimously approved the legislation in June.
States still considering smoking bans include Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As with cigarette tax increases, if the situation in any of these states becomes more critical, MySmokersRights will notify our membership and encourage you to take action.
If a smoking ban is under consideration in your community, don't hesitate to contact your city council member and voice your opinion. And don't underestimate the impact you can have if you show up at a council meeting and speak out against unfair smoking bans. Legislation is currently being considered in the following communities; North Little Rock, AR; Eagle County, CO; Atlanta, GA; Peachtree City, GA; Rockdale County, GA; Marshall County, IN; Owensboro, KY; Charles County, MD; Kensington, MD; Bloomington, MN; Duluth, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Ramsey County, MN; Springfield, MO; Bellevue, NE; Grand Island, NE; Omaha, NE; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Findlay, OH; Ohio County, WV; Wayne County, WV; Marshfield, WI; and Price County, WI.