Tag: Smoking

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy today released its latest estimates for cigarette smuggling rates in 47 of the 48 contiguous states, including Michigan, which saw its overall rate increase 12.7 percent -- from just over 26 percent to almost 29.3 percent. Michigan has the 10th highest smuggling rate in the nation.

"People don't realize the degree to which government induces illegal and dangerous activity with bad policy," said Michael LaFaive, director of the Mackinac Center's Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative. "In this case, individuals cross borders for personal smokes and an organized, criminal class brings in contraband cigarettes by the van full."
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"With high taxes on cigarettes, states are creating a 'prohibition by price,' and with all of the same consequences of real Prohibition," said LaFaive.

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If anyone has ever wondered what the REAL reason for the commerce 'clause' was..  Bone up and compare, contrast, this may be as close as anything gets.

Today that amazement reared its ugly head again.

But, before going forward...

Since the ban on smoking in such establishments has been implemented, there has been a dramatic DECREASE in attendance at these locations.  Profits are down, and more businesses suffer under the heavy hand of our state government, and the do-gooders who inhabit it.  From Mlive:

The Home Bar on Portage Street in Kalamazoo this month has seen sales plummet nearly 50 percent, said owner Harriet Bronson. In her 37 years at the bar, it's never been this bad.

"It's terrible -- slow, slow, slow," said Bronson, who's had to cut the hours of some of her employees.

Smaller bars like the Home Bar should have been allowed to decide if they wanted to go smoke free, she said.

"The state's in bad enough shape as it is," she said.  "I hope people come back, but we'll see."
Denise Bilyeu, manager at Bubba's Sports Bar & Grill in downtown Allegan, said business has been down 15 percent to 20 percent since the law took effect.  The biggest dip in sales has been at night with the "party-crowd folks," she said.

Michigan.. and maybe all other locations not populated with a great amount of restaurants.

Aw shucks, if only you didn't smoke.  If you do, maybe you can find a speakeasy that allows such things to go on without the interfering nonsense by "the man."  Maybe one with a good 10 year old "look out" who can make funny noises when a health department stooge is strolling by..  MAYBE they can incorporate a good FATTY FOOD into their menu to irritate the next batch of do gooders who want to save you from yourself.

While our state became the 30 plusish state to jump on a FSC (Fire safe cigarette) bandwagon, I wonder if our leadership would care to ponder the wisdom of such a move?  Perhaps those who blindly follow the lead of other not-so-informed legislatures in their zeal to enforce new fire codes (essentially what this is)have been sniffing a little too much glue?

Carpet glue actually..  And not just sniffing it..  Burning it, THEN sniffing it.

Michigan has come to a fork in the road, and instead of left or right, it has driven itself into the ditch. It should be noted that in the case of the new ban on smoking, it does come at a financial cost.

The cost to nonsmokers to impose their will on smokers, say, in a restaurant, bar or airplane, is zero, or close to it. They just have to get the legislature to do their bidding. When the cost of something is zero, there's a tendency for people to take too much of it. You say, "Williams, in my book, there can never be too much smoke-free air!" Here's a little test. Say your car's out of gas and stuck in a blizzard. You wave me down for assistance. I say, "I'll be glad to give you a lift to safety, but I'm smoking in my car." How likely is it that you'll turn down my assistance in an effort to avoid tobacco smoke? You might be tempted to argue, "That's different." It's not different at all. The cost of a smoke-free environment is not what you're willing to pay.