U.S. court strikes down graphic warnings on cigarettes

[primavera]

43. I suspect that they are a cash cow for government

If taxes from cigarettes were used to cover the increased health care costs incurred by smoking, I would say that's terrific. But it doesn't seem to work that way. Tobacco tax revenues simply go into general slush funds to be used for whatever pet project some legislator wants to fund. Because smoking is an indefensible practice, raising taxes on it becomes a quick and easy way to raise revenues because, after all, it's only smokers who will have to pay and who cares what they think? Everybody hates them anyway. Again, I am all in favor of personal responsibility and, insofar as tobacco results in increased social costs, it's absolutely appropriate that such costs should be born by those who contribute to the problems. But I disagree with the prevailing attitude that smokers should shoulder the burden of paying for schools, roads, police, etc., things that benefit everyone but no one ever actually wants to pay for themselves.