Jump to full article: Foster's Democrat, 2009-06-24
Author: Ann Wright / Lee
Intro: My heart goes out to Michael Milliken, and the other individuals and families like him who try to get by on low wages. The working poor in this country are struggling and there is little relief right now.
If Mr. Milliken had done his homework before moving to New Hampshire he would have discovered that we have one of the most regressive tax structures in the United States. Lower income people are hit the hardest here. However, I do not have sympathy for his complaining about the cigarette taxes in the state of New Hampshire.
New Hampshire has the lowest cigarette taxes in New England at $1.33 per pack. . . .
Few would argue that smoking cheaper cigarettes is more important than having low and moderate income children covered by health insurance. . . .
Cigarette butts are also the most littered item in the world, . . .
Carelessly tossed cigarettes can start forest fires, and fires related to smoking account for the greatest number of fire-related deaths . . .
It is too bad that many do not see that it is the addiction to cigarettes that brought disease and death into their lives in the first place.
To requote Mr. Milliken, "Live Free or Die."
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