GLG News Analyses of the following article:

Tobacco oversight by FDA on agenda

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Published at: www.courier-journal.com

Tobacco, a Most Disingenous Regressive Tax of Obama Administration

June 3, 2009

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Smoking is discretionary. A disproportionate amount of ill-health  due to smoking-caused illness is experienced by some socioeconomic groups. But analysis of  recent US data  found that low-income smokers in the US are now less likely than middle or high-income smokers to quit following price increases, and that among remaining smokers, consumption is likely to fall equally among all income groups. Yet Administration needs a lot of income. Thus, on April Fools' Day, 2009 Congress imposed a  2173% ( yes: 2173%)  tax increase  on pound of tobacco  to protect Big Tobacco, the tax cash cow they love to hate, but can’t live without. The government knows that if enough people ever stop smoking, or figure out how to get their nicotine fixes without going through Big Tobacco, tax receipts, and, hence, administration, takes a dive.

Martin AlpertPresident, Environmental Claims, The Sandner GroupHINZ CLAIM MANAGEMENT INC

FDA Tobacco Legislation may be a Reality!

June 1, 2009

Will FDA tobacco legislation simply close the barn door after the horses are out?