Replies

Instead Philip Morris et al. are paying for protection against their competitors, and they are passing the cost on to their customers, the very people whose victimization by Big Tobacco supposedly justified the lawsuits in the first place.

I have known this from the beginning, and arrange my life appropriately. I make sure all my cigarettes are from no-settlement sources, any way I can.

The big tobacco companies rolled over for the government criminals; No loss for them, they were happy to act as tax collectors and maintain their profits, and they will be rewarded accordingly.

Had they fought the government with the money they have spent anyway, I would have no problem with paying the increased costs, and I would have some respect for them.

Also, the reach of government may have been attenuated somewhat.
The way things turned out, every two horse town has license to violate the Constitution with impunity, financed and emboldened by "free" tax moneys from the very taxpayers that they are assaulting..

Instead Philip Morris et al. are paying for protection against their competitors, and they are passing the cost on to their customers

Sorry but the only entity I have experienced that is profiting from my usage is my state. The increased cost in my cigarettes is not from the manufacturer but the state of Michigan which now collects over $2.00 per pack in taxes......it may even be up to $2.75 per pack. Not quite sure since they increase it almost quarterly.......or so it seems.