A new bill requiring state tax on cigarettes sold on reservation lands has passed the state Senate. If the bill becomes a law, the measure is expected to generate $70 million in revenue for the state.
The American Cancer Society predicts that the legislation will have a positive outcome, forcing 100,000 people to quit smoking. Though I totally support a smoke-free New York, I'm not holding my breath.
The purpose of raising taxes on cigarettes has always been to increase revenue for the state. Sure, a few people may quit as cigarettes become less affordable.
But as far as Albany is concerned, human health will always take a back seat to dollars and cents.
Politicians, of course, spin the issue to make themselves look all-the-more benevolent to their constituents. But politicians know that nicotine is addictive and that addicts will always find a way to support the habit, no matter how expensive.
Albany is actually banking on smokers to offset the state deficit, which I find more disgusting than smoking.
Smoking is unhealthy and highly addictive. But smoking is legal. If someone wants to smoke in the privacy of their own home or outdoors in a designated area, they have every right to do so.
The state is blatantly taking advantage of smokers to fuel the economy. To suggest that raising taxes on cigarettes will encourage people to quit smoking is ludicrous and any politician worth their salt knows it.
Albany has a responsibility to educate New Yorkers, especially young children, about the negative side-effects of smoking. If Albany was truly invested in a smoke-free New York, they wouldn't be trying to squeeze every last penny from cigarette sales.
Bottom line: It isn't fair or ethical to place the state's entire financial burden on smokers. The New York state economy is far too dependent on people who are sick or addicted. Consider: smokers often become very ill with exorbitant medical bills and they tend to die young, freeing up pension funds. Why would Albany care about people who are suffering when they generate so much revenue?
I find the whole scheme despicable.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
The purpose of raising taxes on cigarettes has always been to increase revenue for the state. Sure, a few people may quit as cigarettes become less affordable.
But as far as Albany is concerned, human health will always take a back seat to dollars and cents.
Politicians, of course, spin the issue to make themselves look all-the-more benevolent to their constituents. But politicians know that nicotine is addictive and that addicts will always find a way to support the habit, no matter how expensive.
Albany is actually banking on smokers to offset the state deficit, which I find more disgusting than smoking.
Smoking is unhealthy and highly addictive. But smoking is legal. If someone wants to smoke in the privacy of their own home or outdoors in a designated area, they have every right to do so.
The state is blatantly taking advantage of smokers to fuel the economy. To suggest that raising taxes on cigarettes will encourage people to quit smoking is ludicrous and any politician worth their salt knows it.
Albany has a responsibility to educate New Yorkers, especially young children, about the negative side-effects of smoking. If Albany was truly invested in a smoke-free New York, they wouldn't be trying to squeeze every last penny from cigarette sales.
Bottom line: It isn't fair or ethical to place the state's entire financial burden on smokers. The New York state economy is far too dependent on people who are sick or addicted. Consider: smokers often become very ill with exorbitant medical bills and they tend to die young, freeing up pension funds. Why would Albany care about people who are suffering when they generate so much revenue?
I find the whole scheme despicable.
Estabrook's column appears Mondays and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
