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Imposing higher taxes on cigarette smokers, along with anyone that uses tobacco products is an injustice because it focuses taxation to generate income from a specific portion of the general public to be used toward projects and services that benefit the whole.

It would be much easier to swallow the idea of higher tobacco taxes if the funds were targeted at programs to help people who are addicted to the substance. There are cessation programs for other types of drugs, including alcohol, that are funded by taxes paid by everyone. It has been drilled into the minds of our society that nicotine is one of the most addictive substances there is, yet there is no government aid directed toward helping people quit.

In a society bent on eliminating this supposedly unacceptable habit, wouldn't it make more sense to direct these funds toward the goal rather than using them as a punishment on those afflicted with the addiction? Why should smokers be singled out to pay more money for road maintenance and development for example? They are not involved in activities that cause additional wear and tear on roads.

Some will argue that smoking incurs higher health costs. While this fact is undeniable, smokers already pay much more for health and life insurance to help offset such costs. As such, it is difficult to understand any argument that justifies higher taxes for this reason alone. Whats worse, those who don't or can't quit are punished further as taxes are raised to compensate for losses of revenue caused by the decline in smokers.

Quitting tobacco is a difficult thing to do. However, the initial high prices on smoking cessation products makes the prospect unattractive. While logic would suggest that in the long run smokers would save untold amounts of money by quitting, it is a lot easier to come up with a few bucks for more cigarettes than a few hundred for products to help them quit. Instead of higher taxes, allow for tax breaks on money spent for cessation products and programs thus making the idea of quitting that much more attractive.

While I believe that tobacco products should be considered a taxable commodity, the products should be taxed for the right reasons.

Learn more about this author, Joseph Branch.
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