Smokers get resourceful, grow their own tobacco in downturn
You might ask a lot of things about smokers.
You might say, ‘Geez, how can these people continue to kill themselves like this?’ Or maybe you’ll question, ‘I wonder what smells worse, a smoker’s breath or a dutch oven from John Goodman.’
But there is one thing we know for sure about smokers, and that is none – and I mean none – of them enjoy paying the outrageous, tax-crazy and ever-climbing price for a pack of darts.
So imagine the surprise in Smoker Nation when the recession hit last year. Now, suddenly a habit fuelled largely by disposable income began to take up necessary, bill-paying income because, frankly, throwaway cash for many was no longer a reality.
What did they do, then? Quit? Please. No, the smokers hit back.
In their best effort to flick ashes at both the downturn and Big Tobacco, many smokers across North America have turned to growing their own tobacco as a means to support the pricey habit during this recession.
According to the Associated Press, instances of tobacco growing have boomed “tenfold” across the rural U.S. as seed suppliers rejoice in their newfound fortunes.
Sites like Seedman.com tell the AP they’ve sold 100,000 packets of tobacco seeds already this year – a Queen Latifah-sized leap over the mere 22,000 packs hawked in 2008.
And when you consider how inexpensive the process can be on a large scale (not only can you make the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes for about 30 cents, one particular $24.50 seed kit could satisfy a pack-a-day habit for more than three years, says the AP), it makes you wonder why more smokers haven’t taken the plunge into the world of home tobacco horticulture.
Well, as it turns out, tobacco growing isn’t all just roll-roll, puff-puff. The process involving microscopic seeds and inside-to-outside transplants and pruning and rotating is apparently quite complicated – maybe even too much for the large majority of smokers to undertake.
Still, in this economy the prospect of saving money has swayed many into the labour intensive process. Besides, when quitting is too obvious an alternative, smokers need to get creative when the money runs tight.
As Jack Basharan, operator of the U.K.-based Tobacco Seed Co. Ltd., tells the AP, this logic takes hold of a smoker during a recession:
“Cigarette smokers say, ‘Yeah, we’re going to die of cancer, but do we have to die of poverty as well?’”
Amen to that, Jack. Amen.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: y bell | Aug 27, 2021 9:23:06 PM
My husband and I have smoked for decades, that was when my OBGyn smoked, our mayor smoked, our teachers smoked, and a whole lot of other people smoked. It used to cost .15cents a pack when I started, (less than a quart of milk, or a loaf of bread.)
This past Tues my husband had an hour and a half wait to pick me up from the airport and decided to go to our local Indian Reserve to pick up our 2 months supply. Well didn't he get stopped on Highway #6 Just south of 6 nations in Ontario. Revenue Canada Took 10 cartons of cigarettes ($250.) Which we've already paid a ton of tax on. Our incomes. My flight, our basics. Where is this crap going to end. Not only that we're going to court on Nov 6/09. We're going to pay a fine and plus, plus, plus.
I have issues with our tax system, Go to Value Village and check out if you don't pay taxes again on stuff that someone else has payed taxes one once upon a time? How about the original store? How many times do we need to be taxed on 1 item. How about the people that live below the poverty level and need to go to Salvation Army, and assorted thrift stores. Do we really need to be hit more than once on taxes.
As a Canadian, I am tired of just shrugging my shoulders and paying the extra taxes. I seem to get nothing back. I have been fighting with Canada Pension Disability for months. I am a 60 year old short woman that has worked in bars and in factories for a good portion of my life. Now since I have Osteo/arthic. I have to keep sending medical reports. Which is costing money each and every time I request a form. In the past 3 years I have shorted by just 1 and 1/4 inch.
What is wrong with our government system. I have a sister in the military and she has is an Admin Officer. She benefits from our tax dollars, but also says how much our government wastes, and wastes our tax dollars.
I could go on for days, but I won't
Yogi
Posted by: MC | Aug 29, 2021 1:06:19 PM
Does anyone care what D Stein has to say? ...No.
Was "D Stein" forced to read this article?...No.
If D Stein doesn't like the puns in this article, do we care to hear that?...NO!
So what's the solution here?...How about for D Stein to get a life.
Great article!