Discrimination to smokers in Mass

For years and years, politicians have always been trying to stomp out smoking in this state. We've heard all the rhetoric. I've taken my D.A.R.E. classes. We've seen the endless amount anti-smoking advertisements on television and magazines, and, now, we're seeing a $1 tax increase on our packs of cigarettes in this state. Force through taxation. How disgusting. It's probably as disgusting as the act of smoking itself.

Now, this either will motivate a person to either quit smoking all together or smoke even more because he/she is outraged by such a ridiculous increase. Whether you feel that smoking is terrible or relaxing is simply one's own opinion, but people should make their own choices and face the consequences of them. If you decide to smoke, you face the higher risk of getting lung cancer and other diseases. If you decide not to smoke... well... you still face the risk of lung cancer and other diseases. Don't ask me. Nature works in strange ways.

Anyways, I don't believe this new tax increase on cigarettes will solve anything or bring much more revenue to the state. People will find ways to avoid paying such wacko prices to enjoy a smoke. You can order cartons from out of state for much cheaper online, or one can simply take a road trip to New Hampshire once a month and stock up on their favorite brands. Some people will actually grow tobacco themselves! I can only sense backfire in this new step.

However, smokers should never be punished for wanting to enjoy tobacco in the comfort of their own homes. Gas and grocery prices are climbing oh so rapidly and now politicians want to make problems worse by making the very thing that gives (temporary) relief from such burdens more expensive. This is nothing more than abuse to the consumer.

I am a smoker, but do not recommend it in any way shape or form. It is a person's choice to smoke or not. One can beat the anti-smoking message to people, one can tax the living daylights out of cigarettes, and one can even outright ban cigarettes from the state but you will always have smokers, because like children, once you say, "You can't have that." to someone, it will only make that person more curious and want to try it even more. It's time we step aside and let people take personal responsibility for their actions and stop punishing individuals through taxation.

Now that I've got myself worked up, I'm going out for a smoke!

Benjamin Dickmann

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