1) I sympathize with the concerns of Freepers and others about not using the tax code for social engineering. In an ideal world I would agree. In our current situation, we have little alternative. Either we'll be using the tax code to promote conservative social values (i.e., giving discounts to traditional families for marriage) or the liberals will do the same for their agendas. Options like the flat tax would change things, but for now they're not on the table.
2) I know the owner of Discount Smoke Shop. He has a home in a rural part of our county. I'm sympathetic to the arguments that current Missouri tax policy helps businesses that sell cigarettes near Missouri's borders. That means less to me than it would if tobacco were a major industry in our state, but it is a factor. If I owned a convenience store in St. Louis or Kansas City or elsewhere near Missouri's borders I would have a strong economic motive to vote against this tax.
3) Constitutionally, we need to recognize that taxing and licensing alcohol and tobacco have a long history dating back to colonial days. This isn't new. It's a legitimate tax, but just because something is constitutional doesn't mean it's good policy. I don't think anyone is seriously advocating using the constitutional provision to issue letters of marque authorizing privateers, for example.
Bottom line — I can see arguments for or against this tax. I don't think it's crystal clear either way.
In the current economic environment I am not in favor of raising taxes on anyone. Government needs to downsize, just like any company or individual has to.
Thousands if not millions of conservatives routinely march into voting booths and freely vote to increase taxes on cigarettes.
There is a select crowd here that would have you believe it’s only liberals. They ignore the fact that time and time again, election after election, conservatives have voted for taxes on cigarettes. In every state? Not always, sometimes the measure fails. More often than not, they pass.
And, basically, there was a revolution fought because of unfair taxation. Keep that in mind.
While everyone may not have an outrageously high sin tax raised on their favorite product, realize that if you don't fight it on the products you don't like it WILL be too late when they raise it on the products you do like.
This aside from the fact that social engineering is, or should be, fought by consrvatives, who are supposed to be about freedom.