Hating On Smokers

Philly.com:
Increase tobacco taxes in Pa.-- "As Pennsylvania leaders struggle to end a budget impasse, an increase of at least $1.60 per pack in the state’s cigarette tax offers them a win-win-win solution."

Lehigh Valley Live.com:
Neighbor kicks in door over cigarette smoke smell

COMMENTARYIf someone truly wants to "end a budget impasse" wouldn't it be a far better idea to encourage people to smoke their brains out? After all if raising taxes lowers the number of smokers (as this article claims) it stands to reason lowering taxes would increase the number of smokers thus increasing tax revenue if that's the objective.

I find it asinine in today's world we curse tobacco users all the while encouraging the increased use of marijuana. Tobacco doesn't get people high screwing up their perceptions yet people seem to be gravitating more towards weed's acceptance. I'll say ask this question yet again. Would someone prefer a pilot or train engineer having several smokes before they go on the job or a drink containing alcohol? If not why not the same outrage calling for taxing the hell out of alcohol?

As far as kicking in someone's door over cigarettes... This raises the question can a no smoking apartment owner forbid medically approved marijuana use? Would the person kicking in someone's door be treated in a court of law more severely for attacking a so-called disabled person using their prescribed medication?

This whole debate isn't actually about the use of alcohol, tobacco or weed. What it really comes down to is selfishly wanting someone else to pay for what someone else feels the other is doing that they don't engage in themselves. People against cars want to tag car owners. Homeowners want to tag renters (renters the opposite). Poor against the rich/rich against the poor. Smokers & alcohol users against those who do not consume. I could go on forever. The list is endless. We all could find an excuse to screw one another for whatever number of countless of reasons against another's choices they make in life for themselves.

The point is sooner or later what goes around comes around. Everyone needs to knock it the hell off.