Tobacco.org

EDITORIAL: Punitive tax policy is wrong-headed 

SOME TOBACCO companies have pulled another one on the federal government. By relabeling their product, the companies are avoiding a punitive tax placed on rollyour-own tobacco products. . . .

Certainly, tobacco use and abuse can lead to many health problems. Those ailments include lung cancer, respiratory diseases and heart disease. The effects of smoking have taken far too many lives prematurely.

Yet many people in our nation, despite knowing the research, the dangers and the statistics, continue to smoke because they choose to do so.

But that choice should be made based on their own desire and motivation, not based on a tax policy that seeks to make their habit cost-prohibitive.

A free nation should not invoke a punitive tax policy for anything.

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