TOBACCO: DEADLIEST DRUG

The July 14 front-page article by David Crary of the Associated Press
("Feds brace to deal with cigarette tax hikes") is truly an example of
government insanity at all levels.

Here we have a substance that has been reported as causing nearly all the
diseases known to mankind, but let us just raise the taxes on it and profit
from the death and disease it causes. How simply wonderful a solution that is.

Once again, we are being subjected to increased crime rates, as the users
need to commit more robberies to support their habit. Only fools believe
that making them pay more will make them stop. Doubters may study the
statistics on some other drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin.

Why does our government ban these and allow the deadliest to go on?

Simply because they don't dare lose the billions that tobacco brings in
each year.

Plain greed with total disregard for the welfare of its citizens is the
name of the game.

Crary makes no comparison between the illegal (untaxed) drugs and the legal
and deadly drug tobacco, nor does he suggest that something is wrong with
this picture. Why do we have to be subject to such a toxic substance as
tobacco, which is now supposedly killing nonusers too?

What kind of people would let this go on? Well, the answer is the same
politicians who are ignoring our water and air being polluted by other
greedy people as long as they contribute to the relevant PACs. May your
deity of choice help you, because your government won't.

John J. Burke

Hampton