Jump to full article: Manchester (NH) Union-Leader, 2009-11-19
Intro: When the state attorney general fabricates an allegation to justify charging a person with criminal activity, everyone in the state ought to take note.
Attorney General Michael Delaney is pursuing a case against Tobacco Haven, a roll-your-own tobacco shop in Brookline. According to the Attorney General's Office, Tobacco Haven owes the state a whole bunch of back taxes on cigarette tobacco. Tobacco Haven says it doesn't because the tobacco in question is for pipes, not cigarettes. Cigarette tobacco is taxed; pipe tobacco is not. . . .
The "for the children" line is deployed every time government goes after tobacco users. From the industry settlements in the 1990s to the massive increases in cigarette taxes in the last few years, states (New Hampshire included) have tried to justify soaking tobacco dealers and users by claiming that their revenue grabs were "for the children."
But it's never for the children. It's always for the revenue. Delaney's attempt to demonize these tobacco shop owners is an abuse of authority. His boss, Gov. John Lynch, should make clear that he won't stand for such abuses in the future.
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