If cigarettes are as bad as the government says, if they cause so much disease, so many deaths, so much pain, why doesn’t the government just outlaw them?
We all know the answer to that, don’t we? State and federal governments are addicted to the sales taxes that cigarettes generate. Without those tobacco taxes, they couldn’t keep building their house of cards.
At least the Chinese government is honest about it. Here’s how the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports it:
Officials in a county in central China have been told to smoke nearly a quarter of a million packs of locally made cigarettes annually or risk being fined, state media reports…
Departments that fail to meet their targets will be fined, the report said.
“The regulation will boost the local economy via the cigarette tax,” said Chen Nianzu, a member of the Gong’an cigarette market supervision team, according to the paper.
Light up another ciggie, Americans. President Obama needs the money for another bogus social scheme.
Source: ABC via Tim Blair
This post was last modified on October 18, 2023
View Comments (4)
I've always thought people should have a right to pursue life - or death - in the way that most suits their personality. I have no desire to control others, let people have their bad habits. I do my best to keep my bad habits down to a minimum but that is just me!
As for China, I think they understand that there are things to control and things to be left alone.
Have you ever noticed, friends - how the Progressives rebel against any restriction imposed of them from religion and tradition - and, then when in power, they impose nearly the many of the same restrictions because of science and health concerns? Explain that to me.
Also, if cigarettes are so deadly, why are there a Billion Chinese? They lead the world in per capita smoking. Seems a bit out of line doesn't it?
Also, one of my favorites stocks is Phillip Morris - they sell heavily to Asian markets.
Sorry dude. I quit smoking when the last tax increase went into effect. I guess that means that I don't care about the children. And if enough quit, will they have to bail out the tobacco companies? I would think that they are too big to fail.
Problem is that we are trying to control people's personal habits. Next they will be telling us what we can eat and drink - and win. Put little computers in our heads that sound a warning when we eat over 1200 calories a day - or touch a cigarette 'Minding your own business' as a maxim has been rejected in this country.