[SheLion]

Other wise $20.00 a packet is coming.

You think? Tobacco is a multi-billion dollar "cash cow." I realize the states are killing the goose that laid the golden egg, but there comes a time when they better wake up.

[Crazymonarch]

In 1986 my V8 cost $342.00 a year to register,now my current 6 cylinder costs $680.00-and a V8 $980.00,Ten years ago the rates were $610.00 per year now they're $1400.00,there has been nowhere near these sorts of increases at the supermarket.As of 1999 theres a ten percent goods and services tax on EVERYTHING in Australia yet the tax scales haven't changed.Indirect taxes are the golden goose and if they do the mathematics that you can charge $20.00 and still raise more revenue,perhaps even with fewer consumers which is a possible,it'll one day happen.

[leilani]

"I realize the states are killing the goose that laid the golden egg, but there comes a time when they better wake up."

They didn't wake up when they passed prohibition laws eighty-odd years ago either. Face it, most local legislators are not too smart.Those who do not understand history are dooomed to repeat it.