• Ibex0@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Some of the taxes are “voluntary,” meaning people are buying cigarettes, lottery, alcohol, (above average) gasoline etc.

    If you and Bezos each buy a pack of cigarettes, your “tax rate” is higher. The poorest people can sometimes lower their tax rate significantly.

    • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      So poor people don’t deserve stress relief or personal transportation.

      Got it.

      • ZombieTheZombieCat@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        What I don’t understand is how some states charge the same excise tax rate on stop smoking aids that they do on cigarettes and vapes. For example, California’s is like 25% at least, and I think that’s the lowest of the states with the excise tax on “tobacco.” I thought the whole point of taxation was to get people to quit? But it’s only on stuff like Zyn and One pouches, Rogue gum, etc. which are tobacco free, while Nicorette as a brand seems to be exempt from excise tax. Their products are exactly the same, but twice as expensive and work half as well. It’s also counterproductive to have to go to vape shops to buy nicotine gum and pouches because California has made it impossible to get them shipped. Obviously getting people to quit is not the real goal.

        • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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          10 months ago

          Indeed. The goal is to punish poor people. California is not progressive. It’s liberal. There’s a big difference. They believe you can be gay, but God help you if you’re poor.