The notion that one segment of a population must take on the burden of funding the healthcare of another is wrong, and that’s why we say no to Measure 50.
If approved by voters on the ballots that have just arrived in the mail, this measure will impose an 84.5-cent tax per pack of cigarettes and increase taxes on other tobacco products. What’s more frightening is that it will inject this concept into the state constitution.
For years, smokers and tobacco companies have been under attack by voters and the various levels of government.
First, we had the tobacco settlement, funds that have not really been used to help the smokers on whose behalf the states supposedly sued the tobacco companies.
Next came a tax on cigarettes, ostensibly to help provide health insurance to low-income families, who are largely smokers and cost the state money – a tenuous connection.
Following that, government officials realized that free-market forces were limiting indoor smoking at private businesses open to the public, such as restaurants, “protecting” the public.
Not to be outdone by voluntary self-regulation, Oregon followed the example of California and other states to ban smoking in restaurants and bars. Then there was a move to expand that ban to all workplaces – for the safety of workers, of course.
It’s an accepted fact that second-hand smoke can be dangerous, but how far should government go to protect its citizens?
We live in a society that is more and more dependent on Big Brother watching over our every move. Problem is, just like older siblings seemed to do when we were young, Big Brother wants more and more power over us.
This time around, no one seems to be bothering with making any connections — not even the most tenuous – between the tax on smoking and the purpose to which funds from the tax will be applied. Smokers are simply pariahs who deserve the tax, which will supposedly fund unrelated healthcare programs for children.
Cigarettes are legal products, although plenty of folks would like to see that changed. Saying that the buyers of cigarettes should pick up the tab for this or that unrelated program is no different than demanding tax dollars from the purchasers of board games to pay for the state parks system or charging taxes on cellphone purchases to pay for the state corrections system.
Those concepts are no more illogical than charging subsidized healthcare to smokers.
While we do not support any type of socialized healthcare system, if one is established, the entire public should pay the bill. That means the whole public – not just a minority of voters who happen to smoke tobacco.
We all care about children’s health. But hijacking smokers to pay for it is the wrong means to a right end.
Vote no on Ballot Measure 50.