Health Insurance

TSC is going too it next year and it caused a fit among the smokers. They say they are being singled out, asking why fat people don't have to pay more. But from what ive seen online a lot of companies do it and have for a while.

Don't see a problem with it. Smokers make a choice to smoke. They can use it as an incentive to quit. I saw a guy this morning buying a pack for $5.25!!  That alone would give me incentive.

One guy was crying that he spends 4,500 a year on cigs. Says he's addicted and patches, gum wont help. Neither will chantix, of course this guy has maybe 2 brain cells so the chantix probably isnt being transmitted to his brain so it doesnt know what to do with it.

I am a smoker, and I have worked for the tobacco industry for over 21 years. I am tired of everytime the government does not meet their budget they tax us. Do you all know that cigarettes are taxed twice, We pay taxes to the government on our product before it ever hits the consumer, then the consumer pays tax on it again. We also pay the government for the master settlement which is to help reduce under age smoking and give help to those that want to quit. We also just sent a large payment to the FDA in the last couple of weeks to fund them for taking us over. What do you think will happen if the tobacco companies go bust. Who do you think will pick up the millions apon millions that we pay. Smokers already pay more for home owners insurance, life insurance. health insurance. If the tobacco companies go away then the insurance companies will have to start looking at over weight people, Your Fast Food will have to go up, your soft drinks and your beer. and you wonder how will they know what you buy. Do you have a cvs card? Kroger card, Visa or Master card everytime you use those they can track what the consumer is buying. Your name is on the card it would not be that hard for them to check to see what you are purchasing at the stores. So for all of you that hate the tobacco industry, and you think that us smokers should always have to pay more. Well when this industry goes away. Then I do not want to hear you bitch about how much more your insurance is because you do not belong to a gym or how much your Big Mack cost, etc because it will happen.

So, if I'm understanding correctly what you wrote, Wildcat, if Payless discovers I drink Gatorade Lemon-Lime because I scan my 'valued customer card', something really bad's going to happen to me like lung cancer?  For instance, my car's going to get a flat tire in the parking lot, which can't be repaired, and I'll have to buy a new one but because Tire Barn doesn't have my make and size in stock so they'll put on a wider Z-rated tire and I'll get in an accident on the way home because of the impaired steering dynamics, four people will die and I'll go to jail for 8 years for manslaughter so I would have been better off if I drank cheap scotch and smoked Marboros that I paid cash for at the Liquor Barn?  I got 'ya!  Thanks for the heads up!

It is people like that speak without thinking about what you are going to say. I did not state that smoking was a good health habit, Are you willing to pick up all the extra taxes that will happen if the tobacco industry goes bust?  Are you at your perfect fat index? Do you eat fast food? Do you ever have a beer, and get behind the wheel. Well if you are so perfect kudos to you

Cigs are the perfect example of corporations COLLECTING taxes.  They are an easy target.  It's always incremental though.  If people DO quit smoking they'll have to replace the lost revenues with new taxes.

this is the point that I was trying to make.

I will keep paying my "SIN" taxes.  But make the people that get money for sitting around watching soap operas and Oprah get off the couch and do something to earn the money that I work to make.

I agree with you rusty, The only ones that should be home are the ones that have been out because of Illness, People like Jackie, and Sam, They worked hard, and cannot help what life has handed them.