Jump to full article: Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent, 2009-06-20
Intro: One of my favorite comedians is Dennis Leary. When he first came onto the stand-up scene, about half of his act was about his love of smoking.
Dennis would rant about his hatred for condescending people who tried to educate him about the dangers of smoking. . . .
The new law is just the latest blow to the tobacco industry. Ten years ago tobacco manufacturers agreed to pay the states $206 billion for health care costs. Earlier this year, Congress raised the federal cigarette tax to $1.01 a pack, an increase of 62 cents, to fund a health care program for children.
Finally, many American cities and towns, in addition to numerous states, either have or are in the process of limiting or outright banning smoking in public places.
It looks like Dennis Leary's worst nightmare has come true.
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