E-cig and vape tax could be coming to Washington

[5150sick]

"Governor Jay Inslee's plan for a 95 percent tax on anything related to vaping will put the burgeoning smoke alternative in line with existing tobacco taxes."

What the fuck are they smoking up there is Washington?
Oh yea that's right, nevermind - 5150

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/E-cig-and-vape-tax-could-be-coming-286321491.html


EDIT: Caff posted this below. I should put it right here. PLEASE call and voice your displeasure.

SEND INSLEE A MESSAGE!!

Right here: https://fortress.wa.gov/es/governor/

Or....


Write
Governor Jay Inslee
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Call
360-902-4111
TTY/TDD users should contact the Washington Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-833-6388.

Fax
360-753-4110

 

[OB61887]

I get the idea of a sin tax on vaping as much as would hate paying for it, however I don't believe it should be in line with tobacco products. I wouldn't mind this if the law makers understood more about vaping, but it seems like they are assuming it is inline with smoking and throwing a tax at it without further consideration.

But hey, at least its not a 2.8+ billion incomplete tunnel to nowhere. When we fuck shit up, at least we go all out.

 

[5150sick]

They are too worried about losing this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Master_Settlement_Agreement
Now that smoking is demonized you better believe they are racing to fill in the gaps.

 

[CaFF]

Well, this is just a pile of fuck.

Judging by the 100+ comments on that story, we don't have much popular support either. Most voting people nowadays have never smoked or vaped and they don't care as long as the "filthy smokers" get put down. Lotta ANTZ out in force decrying formaldehyde and carcinogens, etc.

Just like the big taxes pushed on for Tobacco that were supposedly to save the children and fund anti-smoking and schools...but went directly into the WA state general slush fund. If they pass this, we're screwed. And, they'll make buying it online from out of state a felony, just like they did with tobacco. Tax evasion is no joke.

I'd hope that ProVari, ECX and MBV at least would get up in arms about it, as they are based here and have the capital to make some noise. Otherwise, the crazies over in Seattle and Olympia will make all of us pay. Then, on to the next state....precedence is a scary thing.

 

[CaFF]

Ha...

FIFE, Wash. (KING) – As thousands of smokers across the country are trying to kick the habit for the New Year, many are turning to electronic cigarettes.

However, Washington Governor Jay Inslee says those electronic smokers should help fill a gap in the state budget.

He wants to impose a 95 percent tax on any and all vapor products.

The tax hike was one of several the governor outlined in his budget plan, which was announced on Thursday.

Instantly, the proposal was met with criticism from the American Vaping Association.

“A 95 percent tax would do a few different things,” Kim Thompson, who owns The Vaporium, told KING. “One, it would demonize a product, make it look as though it was as bad as smoking. The other thing is that it would make vaping and traditional cigarettes more similar in pricing. It would give us less incentive to the smoke to say, ‘Hey, give this a try.”

She says it would drive customers back to traditional tobacco cigarettes.

“Taxing small businesses out of business is bad business,” she said.

However, Rep. Reuven Carlyle, who proposed a similar vapor tax that was not approved, supports Inslee’s proposal.

“Last year, we introduced legislation to bring vaping up to the regular level of other similar products such as snuff and other things,” he said. “This is just a fairness issue. It’s a parity issue. No one is looking to single out vaping, we are just looking to bring it to the same level of taxation of other similar products.”

Snuff and some cigars are taxed at 95 percent under Washington’s current tobacco products tax.

Thompson says there is an obvious difference.

“There’s zero tobacco in my product,” she said. “Zero tobacco. We do not promote tobacco, we do not promote smoking or anything that has cancer causing ingredients.”

Carlyle disagrees.

“It really is very important to keep in mind that this is a product that has an active ingredient of nicotine, that is addictive,” he said.

The American Vaping Association says there are only two states that tax vapor products and they only tax products that contain nicotine.

http://kfor.com/2014/12/19/washingt...5-percent-tax-on-vapor-products-e-cigarettes/


Take this:

As Vaping Rises to Record Highs, Smoking Falls to Record Lows
www.forbes.com/sites/jacobsullum/2014/12/18/as-vaping-rises-to-record-highs-smoking-falls-to-record-lows/

 

[CaFF]

A local story on it: http://www.krem.com/story/news/loca...-unhappy-with-95-vapor-tax-proposal/20633081/

They left in this part the other one cut out:

The American Vaping Association says there are only two other states that currently tax vapor products, North Carolina and Minnesota. Both of those states only tax vapor products that contain nicotine. The American Vaping Association says Inslee's proposal would do that, in addition to nearly doubling the price of nicotine-free vapor products.

"We will be encouraging all of our customers to call Jay Inslee and let him know how they feel," said Thompson. "They are ready to rally and to converge in Olympia."

Last year, it is a battle the vaping industry won. Carlyle's proposal did not make it out of committee.

Thompson says lawmakers should be prepared for another battle come January.

 

[CaFF]

Here it is, PDF download.

http://ofm.wa.gov/budget15/highligh...holesale_tax_on_e-cigs_and_vapor_products.pdf


What it says:


Wholesale tax on e-cigarettes and vapor products
December 10, 2014

Description:
This proposal would impose the following new tax and regulations on e-
cigarettes and vapor products:

• New excise tax on vapor products at 95 percent of the taxable sales price
(generally the taxpayer’s purchase price), collected by the Department of
Revenue from distributors.
• Vapor products would be defined to include all e-cigarettes, e-liquid and
stand-alone vaporizing paraphernalia, even if the product does not contain
nicotine.
• Distributors and retailers of vapor products would have to be licensed
with the Liquor Control Board (LCB) and comply with recordkeeping and
audit requirements similar to those applicable to the other tobacco
products (OTP) tax.
• Internet sales of vapor products directly to consumers in Washington
would be banned.


Current Law

Under current law, the OTP tax rate is generally 95 percent of the taxable
sales price (generally the taxpayer’s purchase price). However, there are
specific rates that apply to:
• Little cigars ($0.15125 per cigar or $3.025 per pack of 20).
• Cigars other than little cigars (the lesser of 95 percent of the taxable sales
price or 65 cents per cigar).
• Moist snuff ($2.526 per single unit of 1.2 ounces or less and a
proportionate rate for larger units).

The department collects the OTP taxes, and the LCB ensures that tobacco
sellers are properly licensed and in compliance with the laws governing the
sale and transportation of OTP.

Currently, vapor products are not subject to any specific excise tax, although
general state taxes apply (e.g., retail sales tax and B&O tax). There is no
licensing requirement for sellers of vapor products.

 

[CaFF]

Reddit thread: http://www.reddit.com/r/electronic_...ngton_state_governor_inslees_proposed_95_tax/

 

[CaFF]

SEND INSLEE A MESSAGE!!

Right here: https://fortress.wa.gov/es/governor/

Or....


Write
Governor Jay Inslee
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Call
360-902-4111
TTY/TDD users should contact the Washington Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-833-6388.

Fax
360-753-4110

 

[Zamazam]

You'd better believe big tobacco is twisting the arms of these political fucks. Campaign contributions anyone? Look for the link!!

 

[CaFF]

I'll echo a Redditor comment:

"I'm disappointed that CASAA does not have a call to action about this. We need an organized resistance here is WA, just like we had last March when this came up before."

I checked...CASAA has nothing on this up yet, only the defeated bill from earlier.

 

[CaFF]

You'd better believe big tobacco is twisting the arms of these political fucks. Campaign contributions anyone? Look for the link!!

It's not even that complicated. WA is broke.

Gov Inslee is one of those puritan sorts who thinks that if it looks like smoking, it is and should be taxed like it.

So, since we have no state income tax, they tax the shit out of everything else.

Look at number seven: http://www.fiscal.wa.gov/Revenue.aspx

Now look here: http://ofm.wa.gov/budget15/highlights/

Yup, revenues are falling.

 

[Iamme]

I get the idea of a sin tax on vaping as much as would hate paying for it, however I don't believe it should be in line with tobacco products. I wouldn't mind this if the law makers understood more about vaping, but it seems like they are assuming it is inline with smoking and throwing a tax at it without further consideration.

But hey, at least its not a 2.8+ billion incomplete tunnel to nowhere. When we fuck shit up, at least we go all out.

There is a separation between our religions and our government. That is part of the reason churches do not get taxed. I do not believe in sin, therefore I should not be obligated to pay a sin tax. It is an excuse for a already tyrant treading government to take our money. We started this country because we did not want to pay taxes and if our founders seen all the taxes we pay, they would insight mutiny.

If the federal government wants to take money and save money, they could start by taking congresses ability to vote them selves raises and by ending the federal reserve so we do not pay $2 for every $1 they print. Just my opinion, but it is facts that I stated.

State ggovernmentshould fallow suit. the state representatives can up their own salary and if they didn't spend money on stupid things they wouldn't be broke.

On that note I'm going to bed. My meds kicked in and this took 15 minutes to type on my phone. I'm spent lol.

 

[Zamazam]

It's not even that complicated. WA is broke.

Gov Inslee is one of those puritan sorts who thinks that if it looks like smoking, it is and should be taxed like it.

So, since we have no state income tax, they tax the shit out of everything else.

Look at number seven: http://www.fiscal.wa.gov/Revenue.aspx

Now look here: http://ofm.wa.gov/budget15/highlights/

Yup, revenues are falling.

Even with the outrageous tax on Purple Kush? Be wary, they might even tax getting down with the partner of your choice.

Greedy fucktards.

 

[5150sick]

SEND INSLEE A MESSAGE!!

Right here: https://fortress.wa.gov/es/governor/

Or....


Write
Governor Jay Inslee
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002

Call
360-902-4111
TTY/TDD users should contact the Washington Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-833-6388.

Fax
360-753-4110

I bumped this important info to the top. Thank you for your help Caff.

 

[CaFF]

I bumped this important info to the top. Thank you for your help Caff.

Thanks, but really, thank you for putting this out there. It's my messed-up state, If they pull this off this time, I'd be hosed for nic.

That is what they did before with tobacco: the first bills failed, the later ones passed because people didn't even see it. Folks think, "oh, we won", when the gov't just goes and does it again until it passes due to neglect. It's their job.

 

[CaFF]

Ah, I guess Bill Godshall has seen it: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...apor-products-increasing-cig-tax-50-pack.html

Where is CASAA??????

C'mon Kathleen...

 

[5150sick]

Ah, I guess Bill Godshall has seen it: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...apor-products-increasing-cig-tax-50-pack.html

Where is CASAA??????

C'mon Kathleen...

I posted it in the CASAA skype chat. you on Skype Caff?

 

[OB61887]

There is a separation between our religions and our government. That is part of the reason churches do not get taxed. I do not believe in sin, therefore I should not be obligated to pay a sin tax. It is an excuse for a already tyrant treading government to take our money. We started this country because we did not want to pay taxes and if our founders seen all the taxes we pay, they would insight mutiny.

If the federal government wants to take money and save money, they could start by taking congresses ability to vote them selves raises and by ending the federal reserve so we do not pay $2 for every $1 they print. Just my opinion, but it is facts that I stated.

State ggovernmentshould fallow suit. the state representatives can up their own salary and if they didn't spend money on stupid things they wouldn't be broke.

On that note I'm going to bed. My meds kicked in and this took 15 minutes to type on my phone. I'm spent lol.

Sin tax is levied on certain generally socially proscribed goods. It is based on society, not religion. A tyrant is unrestrained by law or constitution. Our government is not tyrannical. It's just corrupt as all hell. And this country was founded with taxation in mind. The problem we have is the gross misappropriation of the tax dollars.

I do not believe the government is evil, just broken. And the first step to fix it is simpler than taxes or partisan agendas. Get money out of government. Unfortunately that probably won't happen in my life time so I do my best to just not get frustrated by it.

 

[CaFF]

I posted it in the CASAA skype chat. you on Skype Caff?

Ah cool, thanks!

I have it, but haven't used it in a long time.
Probably about to hit the sack though....I was already tired and then this tired me out even more.

 

[Iamme]

Sin tax is levied on certain generally socially proscribed goods. It is based on society, not religion. A tyrant is unrestrained by law or constitution. Our government is not tyrannical. It's just corrupt as all hell. And this country was founded with taxation in mind. The problem we have is the gross misappropriation of the tax dollars.

I do not believe the government is evil, just broken. And the first step to fix it is simpler than taxes or partisan agendas. Get money out of government. Unfortunately that probably won't happen in my life time so I do my best to just not get frustrated by it.

If you can take one look at the number of Obama's executive orders, and say that that is not tyranny. I will leave you with your opinion, that is your right. I will however strongly disagree. When our guns are gone, they tax us per mile on our car and patriots are labeled terrorists people will see. Patriots are already being called terrorist, two more to go. That will just be the start.

 

[OB61887]

This is one of those situations were we will just agree to disagree. I respect peoples right to think as you do, though I do not understand the thought process. So as to not be disrespectful I will stop here. I believe we can all agree that regardless of why, the government is still very broken.

 

[Iamme]

This is one of those situations were we will just agree to disagree. I respect peoples right to think as you do, though I do not understand the thought process. So as to not be disrespectful I will stop here. I believe we can all agree that regardless of why, the government is still very broken.

Yes we can. The government sure is. Either way you look at it.

 

[Celtic Fog]

People in Washington have no income tax, they save up their money, then drive into Oregon and do all of their clothing and toy shopping to buy with no sales tax...I can see Mt. Baker moving to Portland soon lol.

 

[Celtic Fog]

Not to mention, the Authentic mod makers should voice up for once about something important...their 250 dollar mod will cost people 500 bucks if this passes in Washington...bye bye Authentic mods, hello clones lol. Also, say hello to black market mods and juices. Washington can be so back asswards sometimes its hilarious. Everyone does all their shopping in Oregon and BC already, the state is loosing out on so much money by trying to compensate with taxes lol.

 

[OB61887]

As a Washingtonian, I can confirm that we do not go to Oregon or BC to shop unless we live near by and want to purchase something expensive. I will pay the 10% tax to save a 3 hour trip both ways. As for loosing out by compensating with taxes... While that is true, if we spend our tax money more responsibly the issue would be much smaller.

 

[Celtic Fog]

my wifes store makes millions a year on Washington shoppers....and thats just one store. Oregon makes around 200 million a year on Washington shoppers just in the clothing sector. But lets be honest here, were not talking about a simple 10 percent tax...were talking about doubling the cost of your goods...clones are going to cost 100 bucks from the crap BnM's....this is horrible. If I lived up there, I would buy ten clones from fasttech and ten rolls of kanthal before the end of the year just to be safe lol.

 

[OB61887]

Yea, this tax is crap. And it will only hurt WA by forcing vapors to either quite or buy out of state. I would just have my family in CA buy and ship it to me. But I am stocked pretty well.

 

[Celtic Fog]

That's the way to do it OB! I plan on loading up after the first of the year on all kinds of supplies just in case the FDA gets an itchy trigger finger lol.