[Gabz]

Earth to realpatriot71 - smokers of tobacco are also taxpayers.

I find it "cute" that everyone raging about cigarette smokers love to talk about how they, the taxpayers, are paying for smokers health care yet fail to acknowledge the smokers are also taxpayers and by continuing to smoke actually are paying more taxes than the non-smokers. And those additional taxes actually include a tax specifically aimed at paying for health coverage for all the so-called health costs of smokers inflicted upon the states, the faact that most states are using that extra money to balance budgets and fund things not related to smoking is not the fault of the smokers, rather it is the fault of the non-smokers who are not holding their elected officials accountable.

[realpatriot71]

This is more than just "taxes" - its asking me and other non-smokers to help support the nasty selfish habit of a few. Smoking is a completely irresponsible vice, and I won't support the "aftermath" of a stupid decision making processes through my tax dollars. Talk about Tyranny! When you're on the tax-payer paid list, lose your habit or support your own healthcare. Why do you think smokers have such a hard time getting insured? Smoking can be shown harmful in so many different ways, so those who want to smoke know what they're doing, and know the possible future complications of stupid behavior. If a person knows this and wants to still smoke - go ahead - I'm not trying to stop you, but quit trying to make me pay for bad thinking.