[JamesP81]

If smokes are SOOOOOO bad that they are banning their use everywhere then why aren't they simply banning their production and distribution?

One word buddy: taxes.

[BlueStateDepression]

One word buddy: taxes

Agreed, they have become so entrenched in the revenues that they need the fines to make up the difference.

When Blago (my governor) came to power he saw to it that cigs got a HUGE tax increase and he claimed it was so that the kids would be deterred. Recently he went after another tax increase on them claiming it was to fill holes in the budget. He was alerted to his hypocracy and then decided it was much better to raid the state workers pension funds instead.

All I can say is that BlueStates just plain SUCK!

[SheLion]

One word buddy: taxes.

People pay 110% with taxes on cigarettes.  Not Big Tobacco and not the government.  The smokers pay for everything with cigarette taxes!