Tobacco Tax

pennypinch · #1 03-06-2011, 04:08 AM

The tax on tobacco is just ridiculous. It really is. The government has increased the tax on tobacco over 100 times in 47 states since 2002. Thats just incredible.

One New York lady is combatting the governments tax on tobacco by growing her own in her little garden. She grows it and dries the leaves out inside her house. She buys rolling paper and rolls her own.

With just her 2009 and 2010 crops she figures she has grown 45 cartons of cigarettes and has saved over $5,000.

I understand that the government uses the tax money to help with programs to prevent kids from smoking and things but I do feel that it is way too much.

It's as though we are being specifically targeted to make the government money and it ticks me off. I am sure all of the tobacco tax money is not going for anti-smoking programs and ads.

dimetime · #2 03-06-2011, 06:54 PM

I am betting that most of that money made from tobacco tax is padding the pockets of cigarette manufactures and government pockets more than anything else.

I know that because of the costs of cigarettes now days I also roll my own cigarettes. However I don't grow my tobacco however if I did I would probably save myself a huge amount of money.

I wonder what it would take take to grow tobacco, and how to get it all started??

I really need to look into this one. If I can grow it myself even enough for a few months then I would be quite happy!

I will admit that rolling cigarettes is a pain, but it sure does save me money because $5.00 for a pack of generic cigarettes is just horrible.

moneysense · #3 03-07-2011, 10:50 AM

West Virginia, just recently, has added a dollar a pack tax to cigarettes. We used to drive to WV to get our cigarettes buying 2 cartons over there used to save us about $20 a week.

But now, we just buy our cigarettes here at home.

As to tobacco growing, its not hard to grow and it can be grown here in Ohio if you decide to take a stab at growing your own tobacco and saving money.

dimetime · #4 03-07-2011, 08:18 PM

I think that growing here at home would be a great idea. I am going to look into doing this because I need to save money and if it isn't to much trouble to grow and dry it then I am going to do it!!

Anything to save money right now is a good thing. I don't have much of a green thumb so I hope growing tobacco isn't to difficult!!

pennypinch · #5 03-08-2011, 03:48 AM

I did intend to mention that it is not legal to grow tobacco everywhere so find out if you are allowed by law ot not before you do so!

I've never tried to grow tobacco before but I am seriously considering trying. I am tired of paying all the dang taxes. It's ridiculous. You know, if they didn't charge so much per pack maybe we could afford medicine to help us quit altogether!!!!

moneysense · #6 03-10-2011, 03:56 AM

Yes you can grow tobacco in Ohio for your personal use. And most likely you will have to go online to buy the seeds.

But they may sell them locally. I will do some research to find out and let you know.

Quote:

A spokesperson for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which recently gained the authority to regulate tobacco products, said it is legal for Americans to grow their own tobacco for personal use.

We also need to know the growing season for it, ie how long it takes to mature, and the proper way to dry it which I will also research and get back to you on.

dimetime · #7 03-10-2011, 02:59 PM

I am seriously thankful that here in Ohio is it legal to grow tobacco. Now I just hope that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg for seeds and that it is really easy to grow and that I will be able to grow enough to last a good while!!

Though watching some show yesterday they were saying that people are fighting to make it so that the only place people are able to smoke is inside their own homes and no where in public!!

I don't know where this was happening, but I sure as hell hope it ain't in my area!!!

moneysense · #8 03-10-2011, 06:41 PM

Ok heres some info on tobacco seeds, growing, curing and drying, shredding and use. Plus you can get some free tobacco seeds.

Free tobacco seeds

Heres some info on planting and growth time.

Quote:

Sow tobacco seeds inside in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost. Sow seeds on surface of soil, keep moist by misting with spray bottle. Be careful not to wash seeds into soil, they require light for germination. Transplant outside when seedlings are 4-6” tall. Germinates in 7-21 days. Then matures in 90 days.

So theres a lot of information there for those of you who are serious about growing your own tobacco.

pennypinch · #9 03-11-2011, 02:51 AM

Wow, thanks for the great information!

It sounds like we could probably get a couple of crops per season. Thats awesome!

I am seriously considering this. I figure why not give it a try. It's got to be much cheaper than buying them.

And if they start you out with free seeds... well you can't beat that!

moneysense · #10 03-11-2011, 01:16 PM

You could even grow tobacco indoors. But it would have to be in a window that gets sunlight. Also, you could use a grow light while growing your tobacco indoors. That way you wouldnt necessairly have to have it in direct sunlight. Just make sure that any other house plants around it are sun loving ones.

The taste might be just a tad different than that of tobacco grown outside, but it can be done. Giving you even more crops per year.