[SheLion]

"The taxing power...must not be used to regulate the economy or bring about social change."
Ronald Reagan - 1981

[SheLion]

Peter really gets it!

If the Baldacci administration and the legislature really want to take a principled stand against tobacco, it would pass a law to make its sale, use and import illegal in the state of Maine.

Restaurants and bars are private industries, not public utilities.

It's not the state's job to discourage personal behavior just because those in the government happen to disagree with it or believe it to be risky. I would suggest taxing other risky behaviors, but don't want to give the legislature any ideas.

The simple fact of the matter is that smoking is legal.