Your Opinion: Tobacco tax increase won't deter smoking

Dear Editor,

Regarding Sept. 21 article, petition proposes tobacco tax hike.

The article suggests changing the state constitution and increasing the cost for tobacco so Missourians will quit smoking.

1. An 80-cent tax hike on the existing 17-cent tax per pack will not deter people from smoking. It will cause more frustration in an overly frustrated world. Most people who smoke are low income, high stressed people. They will find a way to smoke, be it roll their own, bum off others or steal them. If someone says "you can't do this", you want to do it even more.

2. If the intent is to raise tobacco taxes for more government revenue, how does that work if people quit buying tobacco? Quitting smoking must be a personal choice not a mandated one. Smokers must have the will and determination to quit. Have you ever seen someone quit smoking because they were told to quit? They are angry, frustrated people, many of whom return to the addiction because they quit for someone else, not themselves.

Speaking of addictions, lets address the over eaters, alcoholics, sex-addicts among a few. Are these addictions going to affect longevity, quality of life and health issues? You be they are. How many people are killed each year from drunk drivers, die from alcoholic-related diseases, get AIDS from illegal drug use or unprotected sex, die from obesity, diabetes and heart disease from high fact diets? Will the next tax increase be on "fatty" foods or an 80-cent increase for each alcoholic beverage?

Let's get real, smoking is an addiction and most addictions are not good for us, however let Missourians decide for themselves without the punishment game.

1. Maybe the petition should be more focused on working to lower prices on the "good food" choices so people can afford them. Financial restraints lead most low income people to eat "junk" foods. Have you noticed how expensive those "good" foods (fresh fruits and vegetables) are?

Offer free smoking cessation classes for those who choose to quit smoking. Work on addressing the readily acceptable alcohol consumption and unprotected sex problems present in our state.

Our government has chipped away at our lives until there is not much left except our decision making process. Don't take that, too.