The Government Cares...

Apparently the Government (Federal, State & Local) is so concerned about our health, they've again raised tobacco tax. Here in New York State, the Governor recently tried pushing legislation to prevent drug stores from selling tobacco products.

I guess I can see the paradox with buying tobacco in the same place you buy prescriptions, band aids, and vitamins. Unfortunately, I think we're missing the big picture. You can buy beer at Rite Aid. You can also buy junk food, and plastic bags. Everyone knows plastic bags are not toys, and they sufficate millions of children in this country every day. Are they going to stop selling these items, as well?

Here's my question, have they raised taxes on fast food, potato chips, ice cream , or candy? What about butter, Crisco, bacon, whole milk, white bread, and prepared fried foods? I'm fairly certain that obesity is a larger cause of Cardiovascular Disease than smoking. In fact, read this if you're in doubt. On another point, medical costs for obese patients are surpassing those for smokers. Here are links to the CDC's sites for smoking and obesity. By the way, nice job, Colorado. You're not as fat as the rest of us. Alabama needs a diet. In fact, it appears that obesity is a bigger problem in the "Confederate" states. Insert stereotype here.

Back to my point. I'm fairly certain that the Government would rather keep their income from tobacco tax. That's probably why state and federally funded smoking cessation programs have such low success rates.

If there's such a high public cost associated with obesity, shouldn't the obese be taxed? I mean, I shouldn't have to pay for your ambulance ride and angiogram if I've been healthy all along. I didn't tell you to keep eating and stop exercising. I know, I know. Thats not nice, right? Okay. I can buy the fact that genetics can predispose people to obesity. I'll go on to agree that hypothyroidism is another cause. However, you can't tell me that 31% of Americans are predisposed to morbid obesity. That's nearly one in three people.

Every time tobacco taxes increase, so should the fat tax. Share the wealth, right? So too should the motorcycle tax, the automobile tax, and the people too stupid for their own good tax. The Government is worried about our health, right?

Now, I'm not saying tobacco habits are healthy. I'm just saying, why target one group of people if another group is equally, if not more, unhealthy? Oh wait, I get it. Votes. Fewer people are using tobacco products today than thirty years ago. More people are fat. Politicians cater to their constituents. The long and short of it is, there are fewer smoking constituents, and more fat ones.

I personally don't care what you put in your mouth. It's really none of my business. I'd just like to see some equality in who's footing the bill here. That's all.