Socially speaking, smokers have become the scum of the earth in the eyes of many: stained teeth and smelly clothing (not to mention toasted lungs) separate them from the rest of society. Although the nation considers smokers the lowest of the low, in the past legislatures have treated them the same as other citizens. No laws were passed to make smokers specifically pay for the contempt of society. The times, they are a-changin’. In an attempt to make tobacco companies meet certain guidelines, President Clinton has recently suggested that the price on cigarettes be raised $1.50 a pack unless teen smoking is cut by 60 percent in 10 years. Granted, this legislation is aimed not at smokers, but at tobacco companies. But who does it hurt? Smokers, that’s who. The thought behind this legislation is that a hike in prices will keep people from smoking, therefore hurting the tobacco industry. Right. Raising prices on cigarettes will stop people from smoking about as effectively as outlawing marijuana kept Deadheads from lighting up. People who smoke depend on nicotine, something that is, according to the American Lung Association and the Center for Disease Control, as addictive as crack and heroin. Manufacturers could raise prices, make the entire pack a warning label and name the cigarettes “Black Death” and people would still buy 20 packs a week, if necessary. People are not going to pick up a pack of cigarettes at Town Pump, look at the price and say, “Three bucks a pack? Wow! I’m going to stop right now.” They’re going to pick up the pack, get annoyed, and then suck the noxious smoke into their lungs with a slight air of irritation. Smokers don’t like paying as much as they do for cigarettes, but they still shell out the bills like Monopoly money. Nobody wants to spend in excess of $20 a week for cigarettes, but when somebody is addicted to a substance, they pay the price. Some desperate smokers might even start stealing cigarettes, forcing the individual stores to pay for their addiction. So, if tobacco companies won’t pay, who will? Smokers. True, they’re despised by the public and indulge in an unhealthy activity, but should we really punish them for being addicted to something that only hurts themselves — as long as they do not smoke around non-smokers? The proposal to raise the price of cigarettes will do nothing advantageous for anybody — except possibly the President. Smokers may not be embraced by the American people anymore, but should they really be punished because tobacco companies won’t follow guidelines? So, Mr. President, a word of advice: do whatever you want to tobacco companies, but be sure that you’re punishing the entity that commits the crime. Don’t punish the victims of the addiction. |
