That's why I said "go down", not "go away".
Funny you should mention tobacco because raising taxes on it has been shown to reduce tobacco usage.
Funny you should mention tobacco because raising taxes on it has been shown to reduce tobacco usage.
Australia has near-punitive levels of tax on cigarettes, and smoking levels have dropped considerable over the past few decades. About 50% of the price of a pack of cigarettes is tax here, which marries up with your quote. Taxes aren't the only thing making smoking rates drop here, but among the smokers I know, most of them have reduced their rates simply due to the expense.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/a-doll...
... yes.
And I believe the "smoking tax" punishes the poor.
You haven't shown that it doesn't; I haven't shown that it does. What we've established is that taxing smoking doesn't stop smokers--Until it's too high a cost to pay. For the poor.
If you think reducing from two packs a day to one and a half packs is a meaningful reduction, enjoy the sensation. That's all you're getting. Savor it.
s/my number/your number/ and the same people are getting sick and dying. They're just paying more for the privilege.