Englishman Helps U.S. Tobacco Fans Dodge Taxes

By: Amy Guttman
Topics: World Watch

This story was filed by CBS News producer Amy Guttman in London.

From his kitchen table in England, Jack Basharan is helping thousands of American smokers avoid paying U.S. taxes on tobacco.

Jack's mail order, grow your own tobacco business has blossomed since April, when the American government raised tobacco taxes to more than a dollar per pack of cigarettes. Jack's revenue shot up more than 10,000 dollars.

It's unlikely Jack will bankrupt the big American tobacco companies, but the seeds he buys from the U.S., then packages and sells back to American smokers mare helping him beat the recession, and his customers beat Uncle Sam.

CBS News London producer Amy Guttman has the full story:

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by Mokkie57 October 8, 2009 11:30 AM EDT: This man is selling seeds of poison from England. Lung cancer KILLS thousands of people every year and gets by with it. But there is a man called Marc Emery from Canada that sells marijuana seeds to people which some people use to treat symptoms of chemo therapy for cancer and a lot of other illnesses. Our government has spent hundreds of thousands of tax payers dollars to to extradite Marc Emery to America to stand trail in america. Can you tell me what is wrong with this picture??????; Reply to this comment


by rocketjl October 8, 2009 11:15 AM EDT: Thanks Mr. Basharan. I personally don't smoke anymore, but I really hate unfair taxation. I don't think a lot of Americans have thought about it, but taxes on cigarettes has been a proving ground for the government to test the waters for raising taxes every time it wants more money to spend. Watch what we Americans have to suffer when the Obama health care circus reaches it's goal.; Reply to this comment


by jbasharan October 8, 2009 9:24 AM EDT: Nicotine is found in the plant itself. It is not an added substance.; Reply to this comment


by NoTobaccoNet October 8, 2009 8:01 AM EDT: Regardless of your opinion on smoking, the fact is that increasing taxes on Tobacco, is actually a tax directly on Nicotine Addiction. Until now the only options for those addicted to nicotine were either 1. to continue to smoke harmful, additive and chemical laden Tobacco Cigarettes, or 2. To attempt the endless struggle of quitting....... now there is a better alternative that continues to give you the nicotine you need/want, without all of the harmful tars and carcinogens of tobacco and tobacco cigarettes. Tobacco taxes keep increasing everywhere. I smoke, but I don't pay any taxes because I have found a better way than Tobacco Cigarettes. If you are a smoker, and don't want to pay higher taxes, while at the same time are concerned for your health, see the important information here:

http://www.NoTobacco.net

Now you can give up your habit and keep it all at the same time.... It could change your life! ;-) SAVE 10% use code "disc10-6135"

http://www.NoTobacco.net; Reply to this comment

by stuart-johns2 October 8, 2009 7:00 AM EDT

I don't know. I seriously doubt this will help Americans too much. Who is going to buy seeds, plant them, grow them, cure them, roll them just to save a dollar on taxes???

I don't suspect this guy'll have too much business.

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by stuart-johns2 October 8, 2009 8:39 AM EDT: Yeah sure lots of people are. The guys business has increased by ony $10,000 per year. That surley represents ALOT of people!

ROFL. No YOU crack EVERYBODY up!