The war on tobacco started back in 1999 when Big Tobacco sold us out with the Attorney Generals. From then on, all hell broke loose.
The smoker then became fair game for bans, control, restrictions and higher taxes.
The MSA created a huge honey pot flowing into the states, and the state governments thought they had lost some rich dead uncle, and went bonkers with this money.
The money was to be spent for health care and for any sick smokers, should there be any. But, instead, the state governments spent it on roads, schools, laptops, pet programs, they went WILD. They are all feeding at the trough like fat pigs!! And they can't get enough.
Also, health coalitions sprang up all over touting “Smoke Free Everything.” And “it’s for the kids.” Maine is even using the tax money to sponsor “5” race care teams in Maine! This is a blatant slap in the face to all who pay cigarette taxes!
What most people don't realize is that Big Tobacco isn't paying for the Settlement Money. The smokers are paying it 100% with their taxes!
The higher they tax cigarettes, the more money they thought they would have coming in to keep "feeding on." Now, the smokers are waking up, because who on earth can afford or who would WANT to pay these high ridiculous taxes on a legal product? Smokers are finding much better and cheaper ways to avoid paying into the state coffers. Now the states are screaming bloody murder. It's their own fault. They have shot the goose that laid the golden egg.