Tobacco.org

LETTER: Cigarette Tax: Money Grab 

What politically incorrect behavior will be the next target of Sacramento's insatiable appetite for tax dollars? Alcohol is the next obvious target, but when that dries up what perceived vice of yours will be next?

Where I part from Skelton is in his attempt to paint poor people, particularly Latinos and blacks, as the unintended disproportionately affected victims of the tax. Smoking is an option. For someone earning $20,000 a year it's a luxury. Skeleton's description of poor Latinos in old shoes buying lottery tickets and cigarettes speaks more to their poor decision-making and lack of personal responsibility than to any unfairness on the part of legislators.

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