Cigarettes: A favorite target when it's time to raise taxes

First of all, we should tell you, we don't smoke, nor does our spouse. We felt you needed to know that before we threw in our two cents' worth on the latest proposal in Augusta to add 50 cents per pack to Maine's cigarette tax, bringing the grand tax total per pack to $2.50.

Smoking is a dangerous habit; even smokers will admit it - at least, most of them. However, it appears to be an easy target when it comes to finding places to add a tax, because the majority of Maine folks - and probably legislators - don't smoke. If they did at one time, they've very likely given it up, since it's difficult to find indoor places where it's acceptable. You can't smoke in government offices, public buildings, restaurants, bars, hospitals, and at most indoor sporting events. Only last week, we heard on the news that one of the country's major race tracks planned to even abandon smoking in its bleachers, indicating they've probably had complaints from fans who don't like sitting next to a smoker, even it is outdoors.

At any rate, whatever the reason, legislators have seemed to look toward the almighty cigarette whenever they need to raise quick cash, like right now. We all heard the arguments the last time they increased the tax that raising it would act as a deterrent and more Maine smokers would give up the habit if the price per pack went up. We must admit, we laughed at their rationalization because, after all, the purpose of the tax was really to raise more money, so the last thing they really wanted was to encourage less smoking and lose the precious tax dollars.

In defense of smokers, it doesn't make much sense that cigarettes are the main focus of "sin" taxes. What about alcohol? Certainly it does as much damage to the human body if it's abused. We rarely hear it mentioned as a possible tax revenue source. A few years ago, the snack tax was supported by legislators with the argument that consumers didn't need to be eating all that junk food, anyway. Still no talk about a tax on alcohol at that time, either.

We think any deterrent to smoking is a good thing, but to be fair, it's a little one-sided when cigarette taxes go up every time there's a budget crunch - especially in view of the fact that the state's money problems aren't likely to go away anytime soon.