In rehctub we see the smug self-righteous moralists who have made life unpleasant for a lot of people, but just see what happens when they get their precious toes stood on, the howls can be heard to China, lol. Suddenly we're all expected to support THEIR freedoms, well Jacky, when a Gov' feels it can walk all over you, they DO, and the more they get away with it, the worse they become, it's in the nature of the beast.
Enjoy your freedom, it is dying fast.

I must admit I always thought it was strange that people were allowed to smoke in places like restaurants where other people were eating or even in hospitals at one point.

The rights of a smoker to smoke does not outweigh the rights of a non-smoker to be free of passive smoke.

There has to be a way that both can be accommodated without detriment to the health of others. Smoking is a personal choice.

I would rather taxes go up on tobacco than on food (GST) as this would have greater impact on those who can ill afford it. At least a tax on tobacco might encourage some people to quit but if not then I guess it is like anything else we have to budget to live within our means.

Maybe we should also tax junk food (McDonalds etal) as I am sure the cost to the health system is just as high with obesity.

Taxes are about choosing the least of the evils to tax and sometimes not even that. If you are going to factor in tax cuts (which may or may not happen) then they have to be paid for somewhere.

They need to raise government revenue, given the stimulus. What would have them raise taxes on? Baby food? Sin taxes are far more palatable.

Personally, I would prefer to see some of the exemptions on fortified wines lifted rather than taxing cigarettes harder. Put an end to 2 buck plonk. The evidence is good that would have a major impact on alcohol related problems, whereas raising cigarette taxes is unlike to do much beyond revenue raising.

In rehctub we see the smug self-righteous moralists who have made life unpleasant for a lot of people

Hey, I had nothing to do with the anti smoking laws, but think yourself lucky I didn't as you would have to put it out before you left the comfort of your own home.

As I say, keep puffing guys, every little drag helps make my wallet a bit heavier as the more taxes you pay the less I have to.

Just remember, life is all about 'personal choices'. If you don't like the taxes, THEN QUIT!

It's not 'rocket science'!

This animal welfare stuff is dead set like a turd that won't flush. Just keeps popping up everywhere you look.

Give it a rest.

In answer to your pointless question on taxing meat. All I can say is I would simply find something else to sell, but preferably something that doesn't need to be lit or that offends others.

I'm all for increases in taxes on tobacco. The government needs to get money from somewhere, especially if they are forking out huge stimulus packages. Here's why:

1) Tobacco smoke is unhealthy, even in the minutest portions. Meat, red wine, etc, are only unhealthy when consumed to excess. Burning timber may produce unhealthy smoke, but it also keeps people warm - a health benefit.

2) Tobacco smoke is unnecessary. Sadly, in order for our society to continue functioning, diesel and petrol are both necessary. I don't see hydrogen-powered trucks delivering pallets of cigarettes to Woolies anytime soon.

3) I see a lot more cigarette butts lying around than broken bottles or chunks of discarded steak. Perhaps a fine ($1,000 sounds nice) for every butt dropped, along with any other type of litter, would be good. Especially those people who smoke in cars and throw their still-lit cigarette ends out the window.

4) It's a reach, but I'd say that cigarette butts cause more deaths among sea creatures than meat patties and broken glass. Where I live, storm water eventually washes out into the Barrier Reef, where plenty of fish get to eat all sorts of junk that goes down drains.

5) Other social problems DO exist. But we can't tax the equipment used by child molesters because, sadly, they are given their equipment free of charge at birth. And wife beaters? What will we tax for them? Cricket bats? Why should those people who are using these for healthy purposes (like playing sport) pay extra because someone MIGHT use them for unhealthy purposes? Like I said - cigarettes have only one purpose, and that is unhealthy.

Finally, a note on the assertion that smoking is already banned in all public places. Can you point me in the direction of the relevant legislation? As far as I'm aware, you can still legally smoke in the middle of the street, in car parks, in public parks (as long as you aren't near a playground) and so on.