Should the state Legislature have increased cigarette taxes a dollar a pack?
Pauline Parker, 61, New Gloucester
“I think it’s ridiculous. I think the legislature should instead increase taxes on other things like liquor, beer and snack food. Why just cigarettes? If you’re going to go up on cigs then go up on everything else too. I think targeting cigarette smokers is just ridiculous. Granted, it’s not good for you but there’re a lot of things not good for you.”
Chris Parker, 39, Windham
“I think they should leave it alone. I can’t trust the government. They’re a bunch of liars and thieves. Why make smokers pay for everything else? They say they’re doing this to cover insurance. Why not tax snack foods to help insurance rates? It’s time we start a petition to stop paying taxes until it goes to what we really need it for.”
Alicia Greenlaw, 22, Westbrook
“I’m a non-smoker so personally it doesn’t affect me. I believe with the increased tax on cigarettes, it might cut down on the number of people smoking, though. I have a grandmother who smokes two packs a day and I want her to quit, and this would be a good reason.”
Pat Waters, 47, Naples
“According to statistics, a lot of smokers come from the lower income tax brackets. So the people who seem to be able to least afford a new tax are getting hit harder. And poorer people seem to get hit harder everywhere. Interest rates come to mind. Smoking isn’t good for anyone but it seems the people who can least afford it are paying the most tax. If we’re going to tax something, let’s tax something that’s a little more widespread.”
Herbert Archibald, 75, Westbrook, and dog Max
“Although I’m not a smoker, I think any tax is too much tax in Maine. As an ex-smoker, I think that smokers are over-targeted. In public, you can’t smoke. All your other vices like drinking, speeding, raising hell are allowed but I think they come down on smokers awful hard.”
Tammy Patnaude, 39, Windham
“It doesn’t really matter to me because I’m not a smoker. But if I were a smoker it would give me a good reason to quit. There are probably other areas that we could increase taxes that would be a tax benefit like alcohol and non-essential luxury items.”
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