Taxing cigarettes for the economy

Word from Reuters today states that increasing cigarette taxes by $1 a pack would raise more than $9 billion a year for states. Furthermore, a poll suggests that 60% of Americans would support such a tax. Yep, we hate to be the bearer of such grim tidings but, if the poll is right, America is dead.

6 out of every 10 of your fellow citizens believe either A) raising taxes on an unhealthy habit will make people stop or B) it’s a good idea for the government to increase the depth of our personal life colonoscopy.

The crowning moment of this tragic comedy was a comment by John Seffrin, chief clown of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, who said, “An increase in tobacco tax rates is not only sound public policy but a smart and predictable way to help boost the economy and generate long term health savings for states facing deepening budget deficits.”

We should tax cigarettes for the good of the economy???

Over the years, there have been plenty of ludicrous justifications to impose morally bereft tax burdens on the American public, however, the moment we begin taxing cancer sticks to balance the budget – well, stick a fork in us – we’re done.

And Seffrin claims excessive taxes are proven to make people quit. If people quit, then there will be no windfall of tax profiteering by the federal government. You can’t have it both ways. It simply doesn’t make sense. We at Holistic Survival predict a large uptick in the sale of:

1. Tobacco seeds
2. Cigarette paper
3. Rolling machines

Good luck collecting that windfall cigarette tax.

The Holistic Survival Team

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