"thunder" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 28 Oct 2006 15:52:22 +0000, Calif Bill wrote:


Even if smoking is deadly, it is a free choice item. I can and do enjoy
it
being banned from the workplace and bars and dining establishments here
in
California. But this is supposed to be a free country. If you want to
smoke in your house, or car, you should be able to. Ballot measure this
election to put a $2.60 tax per pack of ciggies. F'n do gooders. They
say
it will cut smoking, and 80% will go to hospitals for payment of
healthcare
costs. It is still some fanatic group enforcing their mores on another
group. Short Wave is a health care basket case from what I understand,
but
it is his choice to smoke. I used to race cars, also can be unhealthy,
but
it is still an action of free (well expensive) choice.

While I agree in principle, there are costs, and they should be bore by
those involved. Disregarding lost productivity, it has been estimated
$3.45 per pack, is spent on smoking related medical costs. Personally,
that ballot measure seems pretty fair.

http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/Media/pressrel/r020412.htm

Over the life of a smoker, it is estimated that they pay a couple of
hundreds the times the cost of health related care. So where is the tax, on
fat? On Carbs? Those cokes rot teeth and add little nutrition to the diet.
Plus it is lost productivity costs as part of the study. Lets tax the World
Series and Super Bowl. They cost productivity also.