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Once again, the geniuses in government have failed to do a dynamic analysis. Their static analysis assumes both inelasticity of demand--smokers are addicts and will smoke just as much whatever the cost--and, more importantly, inability to go elsewhere if they do continue smoking at the same rate.

The classic example of this wrongheaded thinking occurred in New Jersey under the previous governor, Christie (RINO) Whitman. She was sold a bill of goods that the expensive implementation of EZ Pass for tolls would be totally funded by fines paid by scofflaws who had previously driven through without paying but would now be captured on video and pay fines of twenty-five to several hundred dollars, depending upon how often they were caught. Whitman and her administration were caught totally by surprise when, guess what?, scofflaws who were in iminent danger of being caught, actually began paying their nickel and time tolls. Duh!

Christie (RINO) Whitman

She's the BIGGEST pain in the butt! I wonder why our President keeps her in office. She is the first one that needs to GO!

The classic example of this wrongheaded thinking occurred in New Jersey under the previous governor, Christie (RINO) Whitman. She was sold a bill of goods that the expensive implementation of EZ Pass for tolls would be totally funded by fines paid by scofflaws who had previously driven through without paying

That is indeed idiocy.

EZ Pass (or any other electronic toll collection system) will pay for itself through:

Increased capacity of the toll booths during peak times. It makes a huge difference, especially with the advent of the high-speed lanes that don't even require you to slow down.
The reduced need for workers to collect and handle the money that is collected.

In Dallas, the toll roads have reduced tolls if you use a TollTag. Although there is a $1.50/month service fee, the tolls are discounted as much as 20%. All it takes is a couple of trips to the airport or downtown for me to recoup my monthly fee. And, I don't have to worry if I have enough change in the car.

In the beginning, they were dumb enough to charge a nickel premium for using a TollTag. Predictably, adoption was slow. When they lowered tolls to parity with cash (plus the monthly fee), I got one.