[PJB]

First Nations want more cigarettes, cancer society wants fewer
Last Updated: Monday, January 29, 2007 | 9:20 AM CT
CBC News
Some Saskatchewan First Nations leaders are talking to the province about allowing their members to buy more tax-free cigarettes — but anti-smoking groups are against the plan.

Residents of First Nations can buy up to three cartons of cigarettes a week each without paying provincial tobacco tax — as long as they buy their tobacco on the reserve.

Without the tax, they can get cigarettes for around $5 a pack — around half the price it would be if the provincial tax of $4.50 was added.

Morley Watson, vice-chief with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, said his organization has been talking to the government about raising the limit to five cartons a week.

It could be an economic boon to more than 100 confectionaries and gas stations on reserve property.

However, five cartons works out to about 1,000 cigarettes a person a week.

The Canadian Cancer Society notes that First Nations people are already three times as likely to smoke as non-First Nations people and wants to see the permitted maximums reduced, not raised.

Donna Pasiechnik, spokesperson for the cancer society in Saskatchewan, said even at three cartons per person, bands are getting more cigarettes than can be consumed by band members.

Steps should be taken to prevent the excess from being sold illegally, she said.

"We have been advocating for a monthly quota for tax-exempt purchases based on reserve population," she said.

Finance Minister Andrew Thomson said he's under pressure from both sides to change the maximum.

Striking a balance
He said three cartons a week is reasonable, striking a delicate balance between health concerns and aboriginal rights. A suggestion to reduce the maximum to two cartons a week wasn't well-received by First Nations, he said.

"While we all want to see a cessation of smoking and reduction of those numbers, this is an issue, we need to be mindful, is governed by the treaties," he said.

According to Pasiechnik, the most effective way to reduce smoking is to increase taxes, with the excess tax revenue being used to encourage people to butt out.

However, an on-reserve tobacco tax is considered unlikely unless there can be agreement by all 71 Saskatchewan First Nations.

Would someone please tell me how one person could possibly smoke 1000 cigarettes a week?! There is no other reason to increase the tax free amount other than to encourage illegal selling of these smokes.

[ziggy]

Bingo night=cheap smokes here.
Same with wild meat,want some moose roast? ask a native.

[Biblical_Christian]

Go cry someplace else, nobody wants to hear your crying.

[Biblical_Christian]

ARAR wasn't just some innoncent bystander at a bus-stop, he had a long list of association with many known terrorists and terrorist groups...He went around photographing government buildings all in the same few days he was spotted with know terrorists, he had a host of associates and dealings with them, and this is why the CIA is sticking to it's guns about his threat............................................Whats more stupider? How about giving 10 million dollars to a Terrorist.

[ziggy]

Biblical_Christian wrote:

ARAR wasn't just some innoncent bystander at a bus-stop, he had a long list of association with many known terrorists and terrorist groups...He went around photographing government buildings all in the same few days he was spotted with know terrorists, he had a host of associates and dealings with them, and this is why the CIA is sticking to it's guns about his threat............................................Whats more stupider? How about giving 10 million dollars to a Terrorist.

Whats more stupider? Probably this last post from you

Think your on the wrong thread dude........again.

[WDHIII]

Biblical_Christian wrote:

ARAR wasn't just some innoncent bystander at a bus-stop, he had a long list of association with many known terrorists and terrorist groups...He went around photographing government buildings all in the same few days he was spotted with know terrorists, he had a host of associates and dealings with them, and this is why the CIA is sticking to it's guns about his threat............................................Whats more stupider? How about giving 10 million dollars to a Terrorist.

---------------> the thread went that-a-way BC.....

[BartSimpson]

Hmmm. This is a double-edged sword.

I say let them have their smokes but couple it with requiring the FN to have to pay more money to Health Canada or expect to be on their own when they contract lung cancer and emphysema.

Naturally, the liberals/lefties don't have the will to do this so the taxpayer will end up footing the bill as usual.

[ziggy]

WDHIII wrote:

Biblical_Christian wrote:

ARAR wasn't just some innoncent bystander at a bus-stop, he had a long list of association with many known terrorists and terrorist groups...He went around photographing government buildings all in the same few days he was spotted with know terrorists, he had a host of associates and dealings with them, and this is why the CIA is sticking to it's guns about his threat............................................Whats more stupider? How about giving 10 million dollars to a Terrorist.

---------------> the thread went that-a-way BC.....

This explains why a lot of his posts dont make any sense.

[Banff]

which part is ridiculous , The part where they can get their smokes for $5.00 per pack or The part where they can get their smokes for $5.00 per pack ?

[wildrosegirl]

ziggy wrote:

Bingo night=cheap smokes here.
Same with wild meat,want some moose roast? ask a native.

Exactly... and up here most of them have blond hair and blue eyes.

I'm starting to think I should apply for a treaty card. I look more native than they do.

What kinda 'smokes do ya want?

[PJB]

Biblical...I have a plan...You go out and buy 5 cartons of smokes. Smoke them in a week, get Cancer and then I as a taxpayer will demand that you do not receive treatment as you harmed yourself and anyone else around you with second hand smoke. Don't you see the idiocy of this proposal or are you so hateful that you figure it is alright for your own people to kill themselves?

[ziggy]

PJB wrote:

Biblical...I have a plan...You go out and buy 5 cartons of smokes. Smoke them in a week, get Cancer and then I as a taxpayer will demand that you do not receive treatment as you harmed yourself and anyone else around you with second hand smoke. Don't you see the idiocy of this proposal or are you so hateful that you figure it is alright for your own people to kill themselves?

Ya gotta watch BC,he's on the wrong thread....again.

[Tricks]

lily wrote:

BartSimpson wrote:

Hmmm. This is a double-edged sword.

I say let them have their smokes but couple it with requiring the FN to have to pay more money to Health Canada or expect to be on their own when they contract lung cancer and emphysema.

Naturally, the liberals/lefties don't have the will to do this so the taxpayer will end up footing the bill as usual.

Aren't the Cons in power right now?

Wouldn't this be provincial? Is the Conservatives in power in Sask?

[Banff]

man this country is ass forward in taxing If I were a billionaire I'd sue this dumdass government right out of office and guess who would foot the bill .
...coughs really hard spits out black stuff

[PJB]

The NDP party currently holds power but this would be a federal issue are it falls under 'treaty rights'.

It wouldn't make any difference if it were provincial because the NDP does nothing but suck up to the natives here. So many new programs to get them working or whatever that ignore everyone else in Saskatchewan. NO wonder so many young non-natives are leaving this province.