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by Jay
on Mon Jan 19, 2004 8:36 pm |
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I got this email today from an online tobacco shop in regards to something that would effect ALL online tobacco shops.
Dear Valued Customer, this is an important notice.
On Wednesday, January 21, 2004, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to mark-up HR 2824, the Internet Tobacco Sales Enforcement Act.
This bill would require interstate tobacco retailers to comply with multiple and discriminatory state excise, sales and use taxes for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products sold directly to adult consumers over the Internet or through the mail. No other legal product sold over the Internet would be subject to the same regulations.
HR 2824 will reduce customer choice, and increase the cost of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, to the benefit of large tobacco companies and powerful convenience store lobbying interests. The bill would allow states to blacklist companies for selling tobacco products in interstate commerce.
In addition, the bill will impose harsh criminal and civil penalties on online retailers, as well as carriers (such as UPS, Federal Express and Airborne Express).
If passed, HR 2824 will drive responsible Internet tobacco retailers out of business, giving large tobacco companies a monopoly and leaving the door open to organized crime, contraband smugglers and other undesirable groups.
Please call, write, fax or e-mail your Congressional representative, and urge him/her to oppose the burdensome regulations in HR 2824!
About OLTRA
In 2001, a concerned group of Internet tobacco retailers founded OLTRA to bring a standard of service through self-regulation to the Internet tobacco industry, and address concerns about the sale of tobacco products to minors. Over the past three years, OLTRA has worked to implement a number of policies designed to prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors through online retailers. OLTRA is committed to these measures, and to legal age verification. OLTRA members support the Commerce Clause, and direct shipping to adults. Consumers should have the choice of selecting the means by which they purchase tobacco products, whether from Internet retailers or brick and mortar stores.
Our customers have a direct interest in helping to protect our industry and we must have your support. It is time to tell your Federal and state legislators to stop dictating how and where you can buy tobacco products. Tell them you want to make your own choice. 2004 is an election year and this is the time to make your vote count. Take a few minutes to get involved, and tell the politicians and the anti-smoking groups they have gone too far…
We need your help. Support OLTRA, together, we can make a difference.
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Jay
Enthusiastic Smoker
Joined: Jun 10, 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Chicago
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by Tom
on Mon Jan 19, 2004 11:18 pm |
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This bill seems to be helping the beginner online cigarette buyer. In NJ, and I'm sure other states, we are already taxed for interstate cigarette shipments. The shipments that are exempt are the ones from overseas or from indian reservations. If this law is past, more people will have confidence in buying cigarettes online. I know people who purchased cigarettes online from VA based shops, got taxed, and stopped buying cigarettes online all together. I tried to convince them that it was because they bought from a US shop. I told them to buy from the Senacas or the Swiss, but they still thought they would be taxed. So, if this law is past, we'd have less people getting screwed for state taxes, and more people buying online. THe states have no power now with international shipments, and international includes Native American Land.
I am very worried about the S.1177 bill. Rick posted information on this a couple of weeks ago. This would outlaw international cigarette shipments, giving the MAFIA a total monoply on cigarettes. |
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Tom
Smokers Rights Activist
Joined: Aug 24, 2003
Posts: 961
Location: The Kingdom of New Jersey
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by Jay
on Tue Jan 20, 2004 12:11 am |
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I could see smokers near/close to Switzerland buying cigs from yesmoke.com (I hear that shop is based in Switzerland), but not USA smokers. Since those smokers are essentially buying cigs made outside of the US, they might as well save money (and time in getting the cigs) by moving closer to yesmoke.com's location. If the majority of US smokers bought cigs overseas, as long as US-based online tobacco shops aren't affected by a new bill/new law, it SHOULD be illegal to buy tobacco products from a place outside of the USA. Not only would that hurt the US tobacco retailers off of the net, but that would hurt the online tobacco retailers as well.
Buying something off of the internet from a USA company is one thing, but buying something from a foreign company should be just about as illegal as someone visiting the US from France without having a passport. |
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Jay
Enthusiastic Smoker
Joined: Jun 10, 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Chicago
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by irishguyincc
on Tue Jan 20, 2004 1:01 am |
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| You think international commerce should be illegal? Why should it be illegal to purchase goods from a retailer in another country? |
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irishguyincc
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Joined: Nov 08, 2003
Posts: 163
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by Jay
on Tue Jan 20, 2004 2:13 am |
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That's showing disrespect for things being sold in America, including American-based online shops. If I "really" wanted to buy something from Switzerland, I'd MOVE to Switzerland. If I didn't like the cig prices in my state, I'd do one of two things if I wanted to show respect for this country. I'd either move to a tobacco state like Kentucky, or I'd just move out of the US altogether and move to Europe. Why would I bother buying something from another country if I don't actually live there? "Saving money" doesn't fly because I'd rather pay more and receive the order in a shorter period of time than buying it overseas and waiting longer.
Is waiting for at least one week to get an order from overseas really worth the low price, let alone I'd also be buying foreign cigs that don't taste the same as the American-based brands? Since I'd have to wait a long time just to receive the order, what am I supposed to smoke between now and the day when I receive the order (in case I run out of cigs before the foreign cartons come)? Spend as much as 14-21 bucks on just 3 packs to last me before I receive my order?
In my state, I wouldn't see the point of ordering a carton overseas, and then buy 3 packs from a store to last me until I actually receive my order a week-1.5 weeks later. I'd essentially end up paying the same price for a $35 carton off of an American-based online tobacco shop if I wasted 18 additional bucks on buying 3 packs in a store (plus the carton I ordered overseas). I might as well save money-and time-in getting the smokes by buying them in America instead. |
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Jay
Enthusiastic Smoker
Joined: Jun 10, 2003
Posts: 647
Location: Chicago
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by Tom
on Tue Jan 20, 2004 9:46 am |
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Jay,
You're a really patriotic American. I have a problem buying cigarettes from any US state. Every time we buy a pack of cigarettes from a US state, 39 cents goes to the federal government, and they're the ones making the rules. That's $3.90/carton to help the federal govt with anti smoking programs. If you only like American made cigarettes, I would recomend buying them from places on Seneca land. This way you're not helping the govt. hurt you. |
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Tom
Smokers Rights Activist
Joined: Aug 24, 2003
Posts: 961
Location: The Kingdom of New Jersey
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by irishguyincc
on Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:11 am |
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| Those are good opinions and you have every right to make that decision when it comes to your own purchases Jay. On the flip side, I feel that I have the same right to purchase goods from anyone, anywhere. That is what makes freedom great. Everyone should have the freedom to purchase goods from whomever they choose. |
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irishguyincc
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Posts: 163
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by Tom
on Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:11 am |
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| There's probably a balance. I bet people in the European Union are buying cigarettes online from a bonded warehouse out in JFK to save the tax dollars too. Remember cigarettes sold out of a bonded warehouse are sold for use outside the European Union, so we can't go to Switzerland and buy cigarettes from yessmoke. They are under a bond at all times in an airport warehouse. They can't be sold for use in Europe. The same would apply if they were purchased from a US bonded warehouse. They would only be able to be sold for people outside the US. Does anyone know if any companies in the US ship bonded cigarettes overseas? I wonder if there's a law preventing US businesses from doing this. |
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Tom
Smokers Rights Activist
Joined: Aug 24, 2003
Posts: 961
Location: The Kingdom of New Jersey
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