I heard reported somewhere that more than 50% of all cigarettes sold in NYC are "illegal" in that they have not paid all the taxes. When the government taxes something to the point where it is a better decision to risk loss of liberty vs. pay the government taxes, it is a sure indication that the taxation has become onerous.
Oh, and they are clamping down on the e-Cigs because they cannot enforce taxes on them nor demonize them as easily as smoke cigarettes.
There is a reason why Ayn Rand chose cigarettes as one of her examples. They are so easy to demonize by the looters and moochers, and even though I don't smoke, smoking is symbolic of the freedom we ought to have. We will no longer have such freedom ... thanks to Obamacare - where we now have to pay for "our brothers".
Its all about excise taxes. For example, Australia's prices are about $18 per pack for decent brands, because the gov gets a massive tax (presumably to punish smokers for doing something that increases the cost of "free" public medical care.) http://wholesale.pattersonroad.com.au/rr...
Oh, and they are clamping down on the e-Cigs because they cannot enforce taxes on them nor demonize them as easily as smoke cigarettes.
http://wholesale.pattersonroad.com.au/rr...