Commonwealth Brands Thinks Tobacco Tax is an Outrage

Source from:  PRNewswire 03/31/2009

Commonwealth Brands, Inc., the Nation's fourth largest tobacco manufacturer, with manufacturing facilities in Reidsville, North Carolina, speaks out against Governor Bev Perdue's push for an increase in the state excise tax on tobacco products. Within the Governor's plan, she has announced support for a $1 per pack increase, which has been followed by members of North Carolina's state legislature proposing Bills for increases to take effect by July 1, 2009. Commonwealth Brands, Inc. which has already been proactive against the proposed smoking ban in North Carolina, has expressed its concerns with the SET increase by writing to Governor Purdue, and to Representative Weiss, who has most recently introduced a Bill to raise the tax by .75 cents per pack. Commonwealth Brands, Inc. employs over 200 people in Reidsville, NC and is concerned for their North Carolina consumers. In an interview Anthony Hemsley, Vice President of Government and Corporate Affairs, said, "It is a disgrace to continually target legitimate, adult smokers who choose to purchase a legal product." He continued with, "It is disappointing that states, especially one like North Carolina which has benefited from tobacco for so many years, continue to persecute our smokers to cover state deficits." Commonwealth Brands, Inc. is concerned about how the proposed state tax on cigarettes will reflect negatively for North Carolina, especially given the huge Federal tax increase that comes into effect on April 1, 2009.　"State budget projections based on historical tobacco sales volumes will lead to significant shortfalls." Commonwealth Brands, Inc. is the fourth largest tobacco manufacturer in the United States. Its cigarettes include Davidoff, Sonoma, Montclair and USA Gold, the nation's eighth best seller*. Its portfolio of fine tobaccos consists of the Premier, McClintock, Rave and Bali Shag brands. The Company also manufactures a range of tobacco related products, which include Premier, Rizla, and El Rey cigarette tubes and E-Z Wider and Joker cigarette papers.Commonwealth Brands, Inc. is based in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and employs over 900 people across 50 States. The Company is committed to its employees, its brands and its consumers. Enditem