The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I have a real issue with that. With funding things with cigarette taxes in general. Doesn't that, you know, leave our government with a vested interest in keeping the number of smokers high?

I think it simultaneously encourages smokers to quit (because their habit is getting more expensive) and achieves some public good from those who don't. The problem comes when enough smokers do finally quit, or die, and then these programs wither because their funding has dried up.

Which is (one reason) why I think most recreational drugs should be legalized, regulated and taxed.