Last line of the story at the link:
The good news? Brodman and his wife quit smoking a few years ago when the price of a pack of cigarettes reached $5.
IIRC, Ohio was funding a number of state program from the funds collected from taxing cigarettes. When the state cranked up the tax, the income from the tax actually fell, and I recall the state complaining about the lack of funds.
When the government shakedown of the tobacco industry came about, I sent an email to RJ Reynolds. I told them that they should just agree with the congress-critters, and say, "Yup, we've been bad. Tobacco is bad. To make up for it, we will no longer sell cigarettes in the US, we will no longer buy tobacco from American farmers, and we will move our production to another country. That way we will no longer participate in the harming of Americans.
The congress-critters collective heads would explode! I believe that states and the federal government actually make more on the sale of cigarettes than the retailer or manufacturers. And NYC has cranked up the tax on cigarettes to the point that a pack is about $10!
Mark
I'm pretty sure you like something that we could tax out of your lifestyle if enough of us don't like you using it.
The manufacturers, distributors and retailers make so little on this LEGAL product that it is ridiculous.
The state and federal gooberments make billions without contributing anything to the manufacture, distribution, marketing or sale of the product.
That is Totalitarianism in my book, is extremely offensive and needs to be stopped right now.
One day, all you folks who like to unfairly tax your neighbors will get yours.