It seems like so many sin taxes are directed at the poor and addicted, as another commenter pointed out. Should cigarettes be unreasonably expensive to help pay for the health care that smokers may later need in life? I don't know. What I do know is that if you're truly addicted to them you will pay whatever price you need to in order get them. Sometimes to the detriment of the other things in your life that you need. Which, might, in turn, negatively effect your health and make you more susceptible to the potential long term negative health sequelae of smoking.
And how often are the funds that are collected from the sin taxes on cigarettes actually used for health care for now disabled/dying smokers? I know a lot of states, who when faced with their recent budget downfalls, broke into their tobacco settlement monies faster than you could say, "Just say no!".
Ugh. I think I'll be joining Tsarina in bed, head firmly under covers, now.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2004-04-25 12:08 pm (UTC)It seems like so many sin taxes are directed at the poor and addicted, as another commenter pointed out. Should cigarettes be unreasonably expensive to help pay for the health care that smokers may later need in life? I don't know. What I do know is that if you're truly addicted to them you will pay whatever price you need to in order get them. Sometimes to the detriment of the other things in your life that you need. Which, might, in turn, negatively effect your health and make you more susceptible to the potential long term negative health sequelae of smoking.
And how often are the funds that are collected from the sin taxes on cigarettes actually used for health care for now disabled/dying smokers? I know a lot of states, who when faced with their recent budget downfalls, broke into their tobacco settlement monies faster than you could say, "Just say no!".
Ugh. I think I'll be joining Tsarina in bed, head firmly under covers, now.