Viewpoints
FREEDOM OF CHOICE
by Joseph Branco
April 27, 2004
Tuesday
Dear editor,
Did you know that the public costs of tobacco use include $60
million in Medicaid costs? That means that every taxpayer, smoking
and non-smoking, must pay for the health effects of smoking.
The state is simply asking that the cigarette tax be increased
by one dollar so that we can inch just a little bit closer to
dealing with the skyrocketing health care costs that smokers
confer on all taxpayers. Through the tax, those who choose to
smoke would bear more of the costs that result.
When you think about the enormous costs to taxpayers that smoking
presents, the tax does not seem excessive at all. And those
who find the increased tax a difficult financial burden are free
to choose to begin the process of quitting or reducing their
tobacco use.
Joseph Branco
Ketchikan, AK - USA
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