Would John McCain Outlaw Tobacco?
 Friday, March 28th, 2008

There are quite a number of reasons why I'm terrified of John McCain seeing the White House in 2008.  His pro-Iraq war stance; his friendship with President Bush; his public criticism for accepting funds from large corporations; his history of being wined and dined by media moguls; that the National GOP so heartily supports him; his tendency to call himself Conservative and act otherwise.  Just to name a few.  And I've just unearthed one more reason to be wary of him:  will the personal choice to use tobacco be the next to go?

Senator John McCain nearly parallels antismoking proponent Mayor Michael Bloomberg (NYC) in his eye scope at the tobacco industry.  In March 1998, McCain introduced a bill that proposed an increase in cigarette taxes in order to fund anti-smoking campaigns, including those for youth and teenagers.  Former Democratic President Bill Clinton supported the bill, but it never reached the Senate, as it conflicted with amendments and the Republican Party withdrew their support.

Mayor Bloomberg, whose city of the Big Apple now has stricter smoking laws than any other, raised New York City's cigarette tax from 8 cents per pack to $1.50 per pack in one month (July '02).  But if you think that's high, McCain's failed bill would have increased cigarette taxes to $1.10 per pack...ten years ago.  As recently as October of 2007, McCain said, "I still regret we did not succeed."

Yet, suddenly, now, McCain is opposing the current proposal of a nationwide increase of 61 cents in the tobacco tax, to expand the children's healthcare program.  Why?  "We are trying to get people not to smoke," McCain said, "And yet we are depending on tobacco to fund a program that's designed for children's health?  I can't buy that."

So what is he going to do, outlaw tobacco?  He agreed with cigarette taxes going to programs for children for at least a decade!  Why stop in election season?  We are trying to get people not to smoke.  Who is "we?"  The last time I checked, smoking was still a legal choice, just like alcohol.

Don't get me wrong:  I, too, disagree with the tobacco tax.  Tobacco taxes are already ridiculously high and have been one of the largest factors in the outsourcing of cigarette manufacturing and jobs in the American tobacco industry, and the purchase of tobacco products internationally - which has benefited Europe and Asia and hurt us.  I also don't think the health care problem in the US could - or should - be solved on the backs of smokers.  This will only increase importation from foreign cigarette manufacturers; the 20%+ of the US that is still smoking will ensure that.

But this is yet another instance of "Maverick" McCain flip-flopping.  And for him to actually admit that politicians are "trying" to stop people from having a smoke (and not from drinking a martini)...and to use that as a reason for opposing the tax increase...how liberated do you think you'll be if McCain were to be elected?  What rights will be the next to go?

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