As far as I can tell (totally anecdotal, of course), alcohol abuse does seem to cause more trouble in general than smoking cigarettes, but even there it's the abuse that causes the trouble, not (moderate) use.
I didn't call for and don't want anyone to be purged. I am just curious why a government that disparages the use of something (tobacco) would financially support its growth.
Read the tobacco threads Brujo, the govt. doesn't dare make it illegal because they are reaping billions of dollars off its use simply by continuing to demonize the evil smokers.
The more evil we become, the easier it is to continue to tax the hell out of us. The non-smoking public could are less. Ask any non-smoker you know how much the state and federal taxes are now on a pack of cigarettes and I will wager they have no idea nor do they care.........
The thin cover was unveiled here in Michigan a couple years ago when our perky Gov. Granholm announced a $.75 (somewhere around that amount) on cigarettes. Since they had already worn out the old "its to fund the healtcare system due to the burden of smokers", at least she had the F'n guts to admit that it was to fund the already overdrawn budget here in Michigan.........Since increasing property taxes or gas taxes or whatever taxes would further inflame the citizens here in Michigan, she chose to go after the smokers because as I mentioned previously, nobody gives a damn about the evil smokers.......Nationally, smokers are the most convenient target available............
If its all about saving the public from itself, tell me Brujo, why hasn't the govt singled out the alcohol users instead?