Another small tax on a pack of smokes

Years ago I said the idea of taxing cigarettes was a bad idea. Trying to make a profit or price a product out of the marketplace is not the Federal government’s place. Yet every time we turn around the brain trusts (I.e. gas bags) we elected want us to pay for a program that they think is important. So how about this new tax, is 3 cents or so on a pack of cigarettes such a big deal? I’m not a rocket scientist but who oversee’s cigarettes now? How come we can’t transfer the money from that government agency to the FDA’s budget to cover the costs? Anyway, here is a snippet of the article from Breitbart.com:

WASHINGTON (AP) – Cigarette packs would bear graphic warnings that illustrate the health risks of smoking under a provision added Wednesday to landmark tobacco legislation pending in a Senate committee.

The warnings would mimic those already used in Canada and elsewhere.

“These warnings convey the truth in no uncertain terms,” said Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. Enzi opposes the overall bill, however, saying that it doesn’t do enough to support smoking cessation programs.

The amendment was accepted as part of overall legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration authority for the first time to regulate cigarettes and other tobacco products. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee began considering the bill Wednesday but delayed final action until Thursday after losing a quorum.

Full article available here: Panel Approves Cigarette Packs Warnings