Here’s an easy to use reference showing the current federal tax on assorted commercial tobacco products, the new S-CHIP effects, and the overall percentage increase.  The chart helps illustrate the unbalanced taxation schedule for various tobacco products.  A quick study will show the discrepency between one form of tobacco and all the rest as being singularily picked for an exhorbitant and especially brutal tax.  The RYO tax increase shown is NOT AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE NOR A TYPO!

Exactly why the RYO tobacco industry and it’s consumers are expected to bear the brunt of the S-CHIP’s proposed tax increase has yet to be made clear.  Several RYO manufacturers have already announced their intentions to close effective March 31st,  2009.  How any remaining companies plan to bear such a dramatic and uneven tax is a mystery.  The secretive way in which the bill was passed and it’s effects ingnored by the media leaves many RYO users in the dark.  Many won’t realize the effects of the bill until April 1st when attempting to purchase tobacco.

SCHIP Tobacco Tax Rate Increases | RYO Revolution

Many RYO retailers are hoping to clear existing inventory before April 1 to avoid the Floor Tax which marks all current stock immediately taxable and due under the S-CHIP provisions.  Some experts believe the RYO industry’s future is questionable and do not foresee many current companies surviving this onslaught of record high tax legislation.   RYO consumers are up in smoke about this and looking for cheaper alternatives while breaking their piggy banks, trying to stock up before the March 30th deadline.  It’s ironic that one of the resources the less fortunate are using to cope with the economic downturn is evidently being put to rest.  Legitimate US businesses are being destroyed to help support the healthcare of children of fairly well-to-do families, some of whom earn over $80,000.00 annually and even those of illegal aliens.

When asked how this will affect smoking behaviors, some RYO consumers relayed that their seeds are already ordered and plan on growing their own tobaccos.  A new hobby might spring for some, but land, skill and time constraints will make this a select few.   While GYO, or Grow Your Own, the smallest and most intensive of the tobacco hobbies, might work for the luckiest and most proficient, few RYOers have the resources nor space available for growing to be a real alternative.

Big Tobacco might expect an increase in market share when frustrated hobbyists and those who can afford to,  turn back to commercially manufactured cigarettes.   While the RYO consumer experienced a record breaking increase in federal tax, commercial cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chew and even snuff tobacco users  experienced only a curiously modest increase.   Insiders claim the cigar lobby threw RYO under the bus but many enthusiasts blame Big Tobacco itself.  Whichever the case, those who cannot afford to pay double or more in retail costs; smokers on fixed income, unemployed, out of work, handicapped, retired and otherwise broke smokers might need to finally give the old habit the boot.   For many of these people however, the prohibitive costs of cessation aids will make quitting an arduous, long and uncomfortable process.

Chart illustrating the inequities of the new S-CHIP bill as it’s applied to various tobacco products. Some experts say the current revision of the S-CHIP bill will likely destroy the RYO industry in the US and leave the poorest class of tobacco users in the cold. Ironic that the bill heralded to fund children’s healthcare for Americans earning up to $83K per annum is being placed squarely on the shoulder’s of America’s poorest citizens.  As anyone can plainly see, these figures are a bit askew against RYO by about 2,000%!

SCHIP Tobacco Tax Rate Increases | RYO Revolution

Snorting powdered tobacco, or more commonly, snuffing and sniffing, can be quite pleasurable and satisfying when performed correctly.  The degree of satisfaction will differ greatly between individuals as the quality of an individuals technique will vary greatly.   Many new snuffers have the misconception that snuff is less efficient than some other smoking alternatives like Snus and chewing tobacco.  However, some snuffers tested clinically achieved higher blood serum levels of nicotine than both snussers and cigarette smokers alike.  Snuff makes for an excellent NRT in those who are able to master the skill and a frustrating one for those who haven’t.

Before snuffing can become a total replacement the cigarette smoker needs some patience and practice in order to receive an adequate supply of nicotine.  The casual toffeenose who isn’t addicted to cigarettes or chew generally has a relatively low addiction and doesn’t need the copious amounts of nicotine smokers require.  Many snuff makers concentrate on flavor and ease of use to satisfy this longtime clientele.   The burgeoning popularity of smoke-free tobacco alternatives has smokers looking for an instant replacement and are often frustrated with some of these more popular products.

While finding a strong Snuff is an important step for those interested in giving this old habit a try, mastery of the “art of snuffing” is first and foremost.  Snuff is not simply snorted as any powdered tobacco getting into the nasal cavity itself will be met with searing pain that unfortunately has newbies quickly opting for another NRT.  Snuff is sniffed, lightly at first until the newbie feels confident and progresses to gradually increase the dose.  Beginner Snuff products, while being fairly low in nicotine, will teach the new snuffer the correct form without much risk of a painful and premature end to their new hobby.  These moist and highly flavored snuffs are also a pleasure to use and many an experienced snuffer will still keep them in daily rotation.

Once mastered, the new snuffer will have hundreds of choices of flavors, grinds and moisture levels to choose from.  Snuff has the largest array of products of any tobacco product and experimentation is part of the fun.  The cost of snuffing is another plus and is a fraction of any other tobacco product.   The heaviest of snuffers would have a hard time sniffing more than a couple dollars worth a day and most spend even less than that.    It goes without saying tobacco Nazi’s will jump all over this too, spreading  misinformation and confusing oral tobacco studies with snuff.  It’s highly doubtful the low tax rate currently enjoyed by snuffers will go unpunished once it becomes popular and profitable.  Ironically, the 80 some year old tradition of keeping a filled Snuffbox in our Senate exists to this day.

Some great snuff resources:

Snuffhouse forum

Snufftalk info and forum

Snuffbox info site