[Give me a break. Why are cigarettes different than any other product you buy in another state. Folks buy interstate all day long. The real story, is the states are attempting to keep their smokers captive … so they can fleece them.]

"Delaware a haven for cigarette traffickers

By Bill Potter, Staff writer

DOVER - To Charles Giblin, Delaware is a source spot.

A special agent in the New Jersey Department of the Treasury's Office of Criminal Investigation, he helps track how many cigarettes bought in Delaware wind up illegally in his state.

Cigarettes cost $1 or more a pack less in Delaware than in neighboring states because of its lower excise tax.

That makes Delaware the first state many smokers from nearby states go to buy cigarettes.

It also makes Delaware an attractive spot for traffickers who buy cigarettes at lower prices here and profit by reselling them in other states.

And that keeps investigators like Agent Giblin busy.

"In New Jersey you can't have any cigarettes from another state," he said.

"There is no personal use. Not one pack, not a carton, nothing."

Maryland and Pennsylvania also have restrictions on bringing cigarettes bought elsewhere into their state.

Maryland allows residents to have two packs of cigarettes that bear another state's tax stamp and Pennsylvania allows personal use of one carton.

While the amount may differ, once a person exceeds their state's limit, they are smuggling, said officials from the three neighboring states.

Mr. Irwin and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue spokesman Kent Wissinger said they are giving more attention to smaller traffickers.

"We're not looking for the little guy with a pack or two," Mr. Wissinger said.

"But we are cracking down on the guy who buys a few cartons and sells packs to his buddies."

He stressed that cigarette smuggling is not a victimless crime.

"Cigarette revenue pays for schools, roads and police departments," he said."



Delaware NewsZap



[This message has been edited by John L (edited 12-16-2002).]

This burns me up more then anything! Take Maine: (please) They have the Coalition "Partnership For A Tobacco Free Maine," yet the state can't even balance a budget without the cigarette taxes.

Talk about "talking out of both sides of their mouths." Who are they kidding!

"Cigarette revenue pays for schools, roads and police departments," he said."

My question is, why?

#*@#$ thieves.

"We're not looking for the little guy with a pack or two," Mr. Wissinger said.

"But we are cracking down on the guy who buys a few cartons and sells packs to his buddies."

I'll bet Wissinger had to rehearse that line a few times in front of a mirror before he could say it with a straight face.

Yeah, Peter ... they are going after the big time smuggler ... the grandma that buys some smokes for her bingo friends.

These folks sound desperate don't they.

[This message has been edited by John L (edited 12-16-2002).]

Five years to life for Granny because she wants to save fifty bucks a month on her smokes.

An unenforceable law is worse than no law at all because it breeds disrespect for authority. Then, again, that might be a good thing.

"...nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced."

Albert Einstein

quote:

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Originally posted by Spinner:
"...nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced."

Albert Einstein

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There are obviously no Einsteins in the anti-smoker ranks.

Of course not, Gabz. After all, Einstein was a smoker.