The Battle of the Butts

I'm a cigarette smoker. I like Camel non-filters (the wife calls me a gourmet!) In New Mexico yesterday, I was able to buy a carton of my favorite smokes for a mere $31.00 and was so delighted I bought two. My travels around the country allow me to see what's happening with the cigarette prices and where it's going. In most states, I have to pay $44.00 and up for my habit (by the carton). In Indian stores all over the place, the prices are generally cheaper than in the regular outlets, like truck stops. Valley of Fire, Nv. has low prices, but they don't seem to stock enough Camel non-filters, because my last three trips through found their shelves empty and me with a nicotine fit brewing.

According to the radio programs around the country and the chatter on my CB radio, it seems to be a matter of increasing taxes... AGAIN. Maybe I'm crazy, but what the hell do they think they're doing? I've talked to more people who had to quit smoking because of the expense than those who gave up the habit for health reasons. O.K., so we hear all about lung cancer, and a whole string of other diseases caused by smoking cigarettes. The Surgeon General has warnings on every pack. If I really wanted to quit, I'd buy patches or lozenges or something and quit. Scare tactics are beginning to make me angry. Not, however, as angry as the constant tax increases.

What I don't understand, among other things, is how the government can spend all the tax money they collect for everything but where they said it would go. They're rolling in dough because of smokers, greedily grabbing every penny they can. And wasting it in a hurry! To all you geniuses who voted against smoking in public and in favor of higher taxes, I have just one thing to say. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MINDS? If you don't like smoking, don't go around smokers. Taxes are going up again, I hear. More people will be forced to quit and you can all sit back, nice and smug because you're getting your way. Enjoy it while you can. It'll be your turn next.

Does anybody know where all the cigarette tax money will come from when we all have to quit? Has it occurred to anyone that the government won't give up their extra cash? I know, they're bitching about over weight people now and banning some of the fast foods. The only thing is... fast foods can be made with different ingredients that are lower in fat. Maybe next it'll be caffeine? Nope, most caffeine-containing foods and drinks can be decaffeinated. How about higher gas taxes? Oh, that's right... they're already heaping taxes on gasoline (and diesel!) Maybe taxes on beer, wine and liquor will go up. I'm sure that'll tickle you non-drinkers. But it won't fill the tax gap that cigarettes will leave. So, where do you suppose all the extra money is going to come from? I wish I knew who was going to be the next unreasonable tax victim. But I sincerely hope it turns out to be those who fought the hardest against cigarettes. It'll serve them right.