Naturally, the anti-smoking element thinks this is great.
In reality, smokers pay a disproportionate share of taxes to the state. About one year ago I emailed my state rep and suggested that additional items be taxed, at the same rate as cigarettes.
Just think about how much money the State of Kansas would get if:
- $50 designer jeans became $200 - $250
- $125 designer athletic shoes became $500 - $625
- $12 family pack of toilet tissue became $48 - $60
- $8 can of coffee became $32 - $40
- 75¢ candy bar became $3 - $3.75
- $4 pair of pantyhose became $16 - $20
Recently, the State of New Jersey imposed a 6% tax on elective cosmetic surgery. Their theory being that if someone can afford to pay for body enhancements (tummy tucks, liposuction, nose jobs, face lifts, breast augmentation) then these folks can pay an extra 6% to be used for state health programs. Cosmetic surgery that is needed as the result of injury or health matters (a person's face is shattered in an accident, a woman loses a breast to cancer, etc) are specifically exempted from the tax.
Now, the States of Washington and Illinois are considering the same tax.
I believe that the State of Kansas needs to consider going this route also.
