Crazy tobacco laws in Australia

[saltypete]

I was reading the Sunday paper whilst smoking a small panatella when I came across an article that made my blood boil. The upshot of the story is that the Australian Federal Government is considering making smokers purchase a permit to allow them to buy tobacco. Smokers would have to renew the permit annually and of course pay the government a fee for the privelige. The hypocrisy is unbelievable, if the government was serious about the issue thay would ban tobacco completely, but they won't do that while they are collecting a 56% tax on every packet of smokes, box of cigars and pouch of tobacco sold in this country. All this proposed law will do is glean more money from already overtaxed smokers.
It can only be a matter of time until anyone who smokes in Australia will be put on a train and shipped to re-education camps in the outback for brainwashing and reprogramming. In saying this however, I reckon that the law may not pass for the simple reason that Aussies are notoriously anti-authoritarian, I hope smokers stand up and make their voices heard. Many young men gave their lives for our freedom I'd hate to see it eroded by politicians.

Pete

 

[Seanholio]

That seems to be the trend in the world right now: tax the smokers, since they're a small class that can be vilified and demonized.

First they came for the smokers, but I said nothing, for I was not a smoker...

 

[Macion Grey]

You fucking kidding me??

I honestly hope we aren't stupid enough to let this pass (of course, we often don't get a choice, now do we?), or we might as well bring in the thought police and call freedom of choice officially in the past.

 

[Smokin'Sims]

These taxes remind of things like the stamp tax and tea taxes before the American Revolution. I also recall seeing something on the History channel about early regulation of drugs by requiring a stamp they never intended to sell nor did they. I'm not suggesting that the Auzzie gov. is going to stop milking the cow but they would be in a position to make the move if they wanted to. But, maybe I'm a bit paranoid and cynical of gov't.

 

[Macion Grey]

These days? Not at all. Cynicism is almost an understatement when it comes to some of this 'nanny state' bullshit. It has gone too far.

 

[sack]

I just don't know what to say, the idea that you have to buy a stamp to obtain tobacco is ridiculous. The idea will stay with me all day, now i'm upset. I call bullshit! :angry:

 

[NullSmurf]

Seems to be a tried and proven tactic. I have to buy a "Wilderness" stamp to hike in much of the area that is already included in a state or federal park. $10 a year - plus whatever fees the park itself requires. I take pleasure in stinking up the wilderness areas with my yucky cigars! Nyuk, nuyk!

 

[Infinity]

Honestly, I'm not surprised.

The rules and regulations in Australia generally, are arguably some of the worst in the world. Right guys?

Brian

 

[golfgar]

They all know better than we what is best for us.....that is the justification. The reality is $'s. In this country they (read politicians) buy votes with money collected from the taxpayers by promising free stuff like health care, housing and most recently gas money.......they get a lot of it through the "sin" taxes because it can be justified in thier minds.

The people that really "get it" are starting to understand that basic freedoms are being taken away and taxed away. So where do we go now? As far as I know all the known land masses in the world are taken. :whistling:

 

[Macion Grey]

Honestly, I'm not surprised.

The rules and regulations in Australia generally, are arguably some of the worst in the world. Right guys?

Brian

No question.

 

[Smokin'Sims]

They all know better than we what is best for us.....that is the justification. The reality is $'s. In this country they (read politicians) buy votes with money collected from the taxpayers by promising free stuff like health care, housing and most recently gas money.......they get a lot of it through the "sin" taxes because it can be justified in thier minds.

The people that really "get it" are starting to understand that basic freedoms are being taken away and taxed away. So where do we go now? As far as I know all the known land masses in the world are taken. :whistling:

Antartica isn't full yet. But wrappers will split really fast down there.

 

[saltypete]

Don't get me wrong, Australia is a great country and I am grateful that I live in a modern "free" state. However we do have some crazy laws and some crazy legislators. The problem with the political landscape in Australia (or anywhere) is that no matter who you vote for (yes voting is compulsory here), we always wind up with a politician running the show and for the most part politicians have little in common with the average Aussie.
I hope I haven't overstepped this sites policy on discussing politics.

Pete