Your editorial concerning raising the tax on cigarettes requires a response. Your assertion that increasing this tax hurts the low-income people unfairly assumes that smoking is a basic need.

Smoking is not a basic need but is a habit harmful to health that drives up health care costs for all of us. If a higher tax hurts, then quit smoking.

Another harmful product that should be taxed is soda pop. These products are addictive and cause obesity and diabetes. This tax would raise $1 million-plus annual revenue for our state. Come on, you legislators, this is a no-brainer, so get with it.

 

Rudy Spieker

Albert Lea