As a lot of us who frequent this section are health conscious, or at least fairly informed on the importance of nutrition as it relates to health, what are your thoughts on some of the smaller details outlined in the reform bill?
I was struck by the 10% tax on tanning bed usage, the "melanoma tax" as it's called, and the doors this opens up for financial repercussions on unhealthy activities.
As a smoker, I had no problem when federal tax on cigarettes went up to over $1, as smoking is obviously costly financially to taxpayers covering the medical care of people who can not or do not pay for medical insurance (medicaid/medicare), though the money is earmarked to expand children's health care, not aging, ailing smokers .
As a matter of fact, upon realizing exactly how much I spend on cigarettes, I've decided to quit. In the 12 years I've been smoking, I could have bought a new car or made a huge down payment on a home.
People who use tanning beds fall into the same category. However, this is a slippery slope. Will there be a tax hike on red meat, fatty cheeses, sugary foods and/or drinks? Is it fair to increase taxes on some vices and/or unhealthy activities and not all?
I'm really undecided on the issue. What do you think? About any of it?
I was struck by the 10% tax on tanning bed usage, the "melanoma tax" as it's called, and the doors this opens up for financial repercussions on unhealthy activities.
As a smoker, I had no problem when federal tax on cigarettes went up to over $1, as smoking is obviously costly financially to taxpayers covering the medical care of people who can not or do not pay for medical insurance (medicaid/medicare), though the money is earmarked to expand children's health care, not aging, ailing smokers .
As a matter of fact, upon realizing exactly how much I spend on cigarettes, I've decided to quit. In the 12 years I've been smoking, I could have bought a new car or made a huge down payment on a home.
People who use tanning beds fall into the same category. However, this is a slippery slope. Will there be a tax hike on red meat, fatty cheeses, sugary foods and/or drinks? Is it fair to increase taxes on some vices and/or unhealthy activities and not all?
I'm really undecided on the issue. What do you think? About any of it?