Continual Targeting of Smokers 'A Disgrace'

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 04/01/2009

Anthony Hemsley, vice president of government and corporate affairs at Commonwealth Brands, has described as "a disgrace" the continual targeting of "legitimate, adult smokers who choose to purchase a legal product". "It is disappointing that states, especially one like North Carolina (NC) which has benefited from tobacco for so many years, continue to persecute our smokers to cover state deficits," he added. NC's Governor, Bev Perdue, has been pushing for a $1-per-pack increase in the state excise tax on tobacco products, and members of the state legislature have put forward bills for increases to take effect by July 1. Earlier this month, Reynolds American described Perdue's proposal to increase cigarette taxes in NC as an 'outrageous attack' on jobs in the state. Commonwealth, which has manufacturing facilities employing more than 200 people in Reidsville, NC, and which has already been proactive against the proposed smoking ban in the state, has expressed its concerns by writing to Purdue and to Representative Weiss, who has most recently introduced a Bill to raise the tax on cigarettes by $0.75 per pack. Enditem