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The Tobacco Tax Equity Act and You
Jan
THE TOBACCO TAX EQUITY ACT
Over the last few weeks, the industry has gone through a lot. From dealing with the fallout of nearly 500 million products being ordered off the shelves courtesy of the FDA to brands scrambling to get their synthetic nicotine products to replace it, the vaping industry has always been at odds with public perception of the products and its effect it has on people, particularly children.
There is, however, a new threat that looms. One such threat that could very well destroy the e-cig industry once and for all. And this threat doesn’t come from the state level, but rather, at the federal level. This is the upcoming Tobacco Tax Equity Act.
Congressional Democrats introduced what would very well destroy the e-cig industry as we know it. The bill would impose the first federal tax on vaping products while also increasing the tax on all other tobacco taxes as well. The goal of this tax is to “level the tax responsibility” between the different tobacco products. Read: vaping products, which are widely known as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes would be taxed at the same rate as those cigarettes.
While on paper, the tax looks to close loopholes in the system, what it really does it restrict access to vapor products on a national level. The bill, if passed, will also completely disregard the notion that vaping products are any less harmful than cigarettes, further playing out the narrative that ALL tobacco products are detrimental to the protection of public health; exactly what the FDA does NOT want to portray.
THE REAL RAMIFICATIONS OF THE NEW TAX
We briefly touched upon what the Tobacco Tax Equity Act would spell out for you if it did pass. Since the tax effectively doubles the price of vapor products, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for the same access you currently experience. For example, if the tax passed, the bill would add $100.66 per 1.810mg of nicotine, or rather a $0.05 increase per milligram of e-liquid. For a 60ml bottle of BLVK Premium E-Liquid, that would be $20.00 increase! This tax hike would be in addition to any state or local taxes already in place.
We don’t know about you, but chances are that we allocate a portion of our budget to access vapor products. This tax would effectively destroy what little money we do allocate towards these products, thus throwing our financial balance into disarray.
WHAT THE NEW TAX GETS WRONG
The United States passing an excise tax is nothing new. In fact, it’s one of the main sources of revenue generation. Simply put, an excise tax exists to restrict the access of a product for what should be the protection of society. For example, motor fuel is taxed to limit the amount of drivers on the road. Alcohol is taxed by the concentration to limit the amount of users getting hooked on hard liquor. The intent of an excise tax should be for the protection of public health.
The Tobacco Tax Equity Act, however, seems to disregard the fundamental notion of protecting public health. Equalizing tax rates between cigarettes and vapor products makes little sense if the tax is intended to internalize externalities associated with consumption. Harm to the user should be reflected by the tax rate, meaning vapor products being less harmful should be taxed less right?
By having a higher excise tax across on lower-risk tobacco products jeopardize public health. Think about it, the start up costs for vaping products is higher than a pack of cigarettes. You have the device, a tank and/or coils to keep the tank functional, and a myriad of flavors. All of that may run you about $100. Versus a $10 pack of cigarettes. Again, all of this pre-tax – you’d now be looking at nearly double the price. Therefore, public health protection decreases as more users would now be financially incentivized by going back to cigarettes, the most harmful tobacco product on Earth. Where is the logic in that?
WHO PAYS THE PRICE?
With this new tax burden, the ones that ultimately pay the hefty price are lower-income Americans. Remember how we brought up budgeting above?
Turns out that lower-income Americans take up a considerable amount of the market share for tobacco product consumption. This means that if there is a steep tax in place, the users of the tobacco product(s) are responsible for paying the tax.
HOW THE TAX SHOULD BE
if this policy was correctly drafted, a federal tax on tobacco products should not be the same across the board, but rather, should be taxed by harm. Cigarettes being the most harmful product should be taxed the highest and vapor products should be taxed at the lowest. But what do we know? We’re not tax professionals or lawmakers. Unfortunately, even the tax pro’s and lawmakers have no idea either.
Generally, when someone converts from cigarette smoking to vaping it is a public health win. It further feeds into the narrative of harm reduction.
Harm reduction is the notion that it is more practice to reduce harm associated with the user of certain goods rather than to attempt to eliminate it completely through bans and steep levels of taxation.
Since vapor products are less harmful than combustible tobacco products; and the fact that roughly 70% of American smokers are actively trying to quit smoking, it only makes sense that access to vapor products needs to remain accessible to Americans of all income levels!
Any tax on vapor products should be specific, based on both quantity and concentration. It would be more beneficial to tax e-liquid based on volume, or how large of a bottle or how potent the product is. After all, closed systems contain very large amounts of nicotine, whereas larger bottles contain more product but less nicotine. Thus, legislators can design a tiered tax system with different rates as to not introduce any tax disparities while still holding vapor products responsible to the tax.
When it comes to the dollar amount of the vapor tax, it should reflect the harm it generates towards users. For instance, if there was a 5% tax on tobacco products, a pack of cigarettes would experience a $2.00 increases whereas vapor products would experience a $0.10 increase
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Like most incredibly threatening taxes to our livelihoods, the Tobacco Tax Equity Act was introduced as part of the overall budget plan to keep the government running. This means, should the government continue to function, the entire bill must be passed. There is, however, your rights as the constituents of the Congress men and women that represent you.
CASAA, a consumer advocacy group that consistently fights for our rights to vape has a portal where you can draft up your response to this outrageous tax bill and send it directly to your state representative. Remember, the people in power are supposed to represent YOU. Not the interests of big tobacco looking to share the tax responsibility and definitely not the people that hate on our decisions to protect ourselves from harmful tobacco products. Exercise your rights and fight for the vaping industry as we know it!
Our Top Picks For BLVK Nic Salt
BLVK Unicorn is constantly thinking of ways to provide its majestic unicorns with the highest quality premium e-liquid. We are working behind the scenes 24/7 to create new concepts and innovative flavors that are brand specific. Aside from our new disposable UNICIG and our different flavor profiles, BLVK Unicorn is happy to offer both nicotine free and nicotine rich products.
Our nicotine salt line of BLVK Unicorn premium e-liquid is popular to both regular vapers and those who are trying to make the switch from traditional cigarettes. Offered in two different nicotine strengths, BLVK Unicorn is proud to have a selection of THIRTEEN exclusive flavors!
Today on the BLVK blog we wanted to share with you our top picks! While all of our flavors are just scrumptious, we have some new nicotine salt blends that are really winning us over. For starters, our Cucumber Nicotine Salt BLVK Unicorn premium e-liquid is probably the most refreshing flavor yet. The delicious, mellow taste of cucumbers with a slight hint of menthol makes this flavor perfect for the hot summer days or a night by the fireplace.
Fruity flavors are one of the biggest draws when it comes to the vaping world. BLVK Unicorn’s mango nicotine salt is another star flavor for us. What is better than a refreshing mango! This blend is just the right amount of sweet. While we are focusing on our fantastic fruity flavors, we cannot forget about the magical grape! While all grapes are delicious, BLVK Unicorn is focusing in on those purple grapes and we cannot get enough of em!
For those who might think the fruity flavors are just a little too much sweet, BLVK Unicorn has crafted a special pistachio flavor. This one also has slights hint on menthol, which really adds to the pistachio notes and makes them shine.
Another tried and true flavor floating around the vape world is the dessert blends. BLVK Unicorn offers up two of the best flavors out there when it comes to sweet treats! Our nicotine rich vanilla custard implements all the delightful elements of vanilla with all the decadence of custard. This one is a real crowd pleaser.
If you want something even more familiar to your palette, check out the strawberry cream! This wonderous blend is a mix of your favorite after dinner snack, strawberry shortcake! But the fun doesn’t stop there with this one – it also encapsulates notes of graham cracker and sweet cream!
While BLVK Unicorn does not advocate the use of nicotine rich products to new vapers, we do hope that with all these exotic flavors spike the interest of traditional smokers and help them on the journey to a smoke free life! With so many options out there, BLVK Unicorn thanks you for your continued support and for tuning in weekly with us here at the BLVK blog! We hope BLVK Unicorn remains number one for all things vape in your life and that we enhance your vaping experience always!
Are Adults More Likely to Vape While Living With Children?
Vaping has become mainstream in terms of adult hobbies and is rising over traditional cigarettes. Many might think that BLVK Unicorns premium e-liquid and other leading brands are catered towards a younger crowd. Considered to be the “new age” way, vaping has been found to be more common in homes with children than those without.
We know the risks affiliated with secondhand cigarette smoke but a few weeks ago, the BLVK blog shared that there are not currently negative health ties to second hand vape. Still, the public isn’t completely sold on these facts alone, but it is nice to see that parents are choosing vaping over their traditional cigarettes. This significantly reduces the potential health risks to the children. Another interesting view on vaping in homes with children present, is that 5.6 percent of these vapors are living with children that regularly suffer from asthma.
BLVK Unicorn feels like this is a positive change in the right direction in the world of vape. While BLVK Unicorn does not condone the use of our products among minors, we are glad to hear that some parents are putting down those harmful smokes and picking up a bottle of premium BLVK Unicorn e-liquid. This is healthier and safer for both the parent and the children!
With so many options for e-cigarettes available, it is nice to see things to keep growing and the quality of life improving for those who have kicked the smoking habit. By utilizing BLVK Unicorn’s premium vape juice, you can slowly work your way down to a nicotine free lifestyle, if you choose! Current studies say that e-cigarettes are a whopping ninety five percent safer than your traditional tobacco cigarette. That number is huge and with smoking affecting such a large amount of the human population, we can only hope that the numbers keep changing.
The truth is, a lot of older folks turn their noses up at the first smell of BLVK Unicorn premium e-liquid, because its foreign to them but the tide may be turning. It might be because a parent is trying to spare their child of the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, or because they simply do not want to expose their children to cigarettes. Whatever the reason may be, we hope to see the percentage of vapers in homes with children to rise, over cigarettes. Parenting is stressful, so it makes sense that parents are looking for a little relief and we are glad that e-cigs are becoming their first choice.
BLVK Unicorn hopes to continue to provide a safer alternative to adults that are smoking or just looking for something fun to take the edge off. Our nicotine free vape juice is not only delicious, but its light on the body. BLVK Unicorn continues to create our premium vape juice with only the best of ingredients and to make sure that you feel confident with every puff! Together, we can make the transition from smoking to vaping a reality and improve our health as a community!
