[The Great RJ]

Maine legislators need a course in basic economics. If the price of a good increases the market responds by buying less of that good or seeking cheaper substitutes.

Maine smokers might actually quit smoking or at least cut down the number of cigarettes they smoke or more likely will buy their cigarettes from cheaper sources such as from the Internet, in Indian reservation smoke shops or from bootleggers. This increase in tax will likely decrease the revenue raised and create a need for expensive tax enforcement.

The old story of the goose that laid the golden egg is very applicable here.

[SheLion]

Maine legislators need a course in basic economics. If the price of a good increases the market responds by buying less of that good or seeking cheaper substitutes.

It's the American Way to shop cheap.  And by raising taxes through the roof on one legal item is their way of keeping their coffers full is not the way to go about this.  They did indeed kill the goose that laid the golden egg.  

Maine smokers might actually quit smoking or at least cut down the number of cigarettes they smoke or more likely will buy their cigarettes from cheaper sources such as from the Internet, in Indian reservation smoke shops or from bootleggers. This increase in tax will likely decrease the revenue raised and create a need for expensive tax enforcement.

Adult smokers, such as myself, will not quit.  We know the risks, such as over eating is also a killer, and we make our choices.  It should not be left up to any state to monitor our legal activities.  But to continually punish 25-30% of Maine constituents just because we choose to purchase a legal product is insane and way over the top.

The old story of the goose that laid the golden egg is very applicable here.

Maine legislators need a course in basic economics. If the price of a good increases the market responds by buying less of that good or seeking cheaper substitutes.

It's the American Way to shop cheap.  And by raising taxes through the roof on one legal item is their way of keeping their coffers full is not the way to go about this.  They did indeed kill the goose that laid the golden egg.  

Maine smokers might actually quit smoking or at least cut down the number of cigarettes they smoke or more likely will buy their cigarettes from cheaper sources such as from the Internet, in Indian reservation smoke shops or from bootleggers. This increase in tax will likely decrease the revenue raised and create a need for expensive tax enforcement.

Adult smokers, such as myself, will not quit.  We know the risks, such as over eating is also a killer, and we make our choices.  It should not be left up to any state to monitor our legal activities.  But to continually punish 25-30% of Maine constituents just because we choose to purchase a legal product is insane and way over the top.

The old story of the goose that laid the golden egg is very applicable here.