I just want to smoke...

iAMaPhoenix

...a cigarette without the guv-ment all up in my bizness. First of all, let me give my disclaimer. I do not smoke, never have, and never will.( http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/nyregion/roll-your-own-cigarette-shops-sued-by-new-york-city-in-tax-dispute.html) Last week NYC filed a lawsuit to stop individuals from rolling their own cigarettes as they say it is a form of tax evasion as a pack of cigarette in NYC can bring in almost $6 in tax revenue. There are stores in Chinatown where you can buy loose tobacco, then roll it yourself. Now NYC is so concerned for our health, they want to put an end to this. Of course, they said it is because they need the tax dollars to assist smokers with cessation programs and to cover smoking related health. I think it is something else. It is all about OIL. It is always about OIL.

But I digress. A thief who has cornered a market on something will not allow you to come in and take over his joint. The government depends on taxes from cigarettes to run. It looks good to say they care about us, but the truth is that it is always about the dollar. This takes us back to our "why is weed illegal" debate from earlier. Hell, I think if we are able to brew our own beer, why can't we roll our own joint....errr, I mean cigarette(*kitten* for my UK friends)

Do you agree with this lawsuit? Why and why not? Should we be allowed to make our own poison if we so choose? Have at it.

suzycreamcheese

Thats crazy. I dont smoke cigarettes, but i find the smell of roll ups far less toxic and offensive than tailormades

poisongirl6485

I love when the gov't tries to say that the rise in prices on cigarettes is in the interest of public health. Bahahahahahaha!

sexforjaffacakes

There's less toxins in rollys than premade! TRYING TO POISIN YOU AMERICA!

TheRoadDog

Wherever you leak, someone wants to hang a bucket.

rippedin12

I smoke occasionally and if the product is legal, why whould we not be allowed to make it? Rolling cigarettes or even growing your own tobacco is the same to me as brewing your own alcohol. Last I checked it's legal to brew, legal to drink your brew, some states may have limitations on how much can be brewed but that's about it. Rolling your own cigarettes should be legal and is in most states. NY is being dumb by taking advantage of an addiction.

mommared53

I think the government needs to keep it's nose out of it. I don't smoke and I have a hard time breathing around smoke and secondhand smoke but I believe if people want to save money by rolling their own cigarettes, that's their business. What next, is the government going to start telling people they can't buy fabric and make their own clothes? We need to cut government down to size. It's gotten WAY too big!

Edited for spelling.

Bonita_Lynne_58

Don't like tobacco in any form. But if it's legal (and it is) why should there be a prohibition against rolling your own? Sounds like greed on the governments part. How ignorant do they think the people of NY are to believe it's out of concern for the health of the populace?

Now if you ever visit me at my house, and you wish to smoke you will be doing so on my front porch. I think as adults we have the right to decide what to put into our bodies. I just chose to keep it out of mine.

dragonbait0126

That is the most ridiculous thing ever. They still pay taxes on the can of loose tobacco. I...but...I...I have nothing else to say. I can't even begin to comprehend the level of stupidity and dumb use of tax dollars for this lawsuit and reasoning.