39.47%	Yes
58.92%	No

Comment: Not only can we help more children, but maybe help more smokers quit such an unhealthy habit. from Portland by Brian

Comment: once again they are making only certain pepole pay. thats not right.it seems to be never enough. from westbrook by al

Comment: I believe it still isn't enough to make people kick the habit from Bridgton,Me by Mary

Comment: I don't support the increase on the tax for cigerettes because it's only going to draw the people that pay the tax to quit and where does that leave the funding for the programs that rely on the taxes? instead they should tax alcohol and high class luxories. from South Portland, ME by Patti

Comment: Yes, It might get some people to think about quitting. by Carol

Comment: im a smoker i dont support the tax even though i have a good paying job and the reason for this is that i make to much money to get help paying for health insurance, my two boys dont have health insurance, and i cant afford to pay for it myself, so i dont support something that is only gona help a select few. its not right nor is it fair to target one group of people to help another. try taxing alcohol!! i dont drink so it wouldnt bother me!!!! from buckfield by jason

Comment: If the state is going to take money from us at least this is a worth while project. from Saco Maine by Brenda

Comment: Sadie here,Portland,Me. Yes! l feel Children need Health insurance, there are alot of children with-out it! l don't think the cigarette tax hike with deter alot of people from smoking, for some, onced hooked! it becomes a Crutch..l used to smoke & quit colk turkey..So thankfull l did. Again, l don't think many who smoke will quit.. from Portland,Me. by Sadie

Comment: yes i do ban them all together, people would not get lung cancer. i think they should tax them up to $5 from hebron maine by Jimmy

Comment: Yes I do, especially if some of those smokers are puffing away their little cancer sticks around their children. With all the information out there it's amazing people still smoke and if they come down with cancer due to smoking where all of sudden supposed to feel sorry for them. from Saco, ME by Bret

Comment: It would be wonderful to see something positive come out of cigarette smoking, with health insurance for our children. by Donna

Comment: The money raised through this method will only keep decreasing while people continue to quit smoking. Instead the money should be used to help fund programs to help people quit smoking. As more people quit less funding would be needed. Hence a decreasing need for funds. from Windham by Pam

Comment: Just another tax increase in the name of a policy that the constitution doesn't allow.The federal and state governments use the "it's for the children" excuse too much. What they need to do is stop spending money and balance the budget before they dream up anymore taxes. from sanford by jay

Comment: Coming from somebody who did quit because of high prices I try to preach to family and friends the benefits of quitting inhaling cigarettes. from Bath/ME by Stephanie

Comment: I think that they have been attacking cigarette smokers enough already. If this is to pay for more health insurance for CHILDREN, then why not increase the prices on things that children should not be having, such as soft drinks laced with sugar and caffeine, or maybe sugary cereals and candy. Let's start increasing the taxes on items used by the population that the additional taxes are intended to help and stop attacking smokers all of the time. from Winslow, ME by Cecile

Comment: why thats a heck of a jump in price why not increase the taxes on beer!!!!! from lewiston by eric

Comment: The government will just waste this money like they do with al our taxes. from Wales by Gary

Comment: Me&my wife work hard to get health care for our four kids,(we make it),we shouldn't have to pay for the peoples kids,to get heatlh care they should have to work and pay for your own kids thats life you have'em pay for'em from Arundel by Eric

Comment: I hate cigarettes so they should maybe ppl would stop buying them. Their nasty from fairfield,ME by Jennifer

Comment: Here we go again - discriminate against smokers. This is totally unacceptable. Come on, pick on someone else. from Portland, ME by Diane

Comment: As an educator, I smell tobacco products on young children's clothing and backpacks. Their exposure to smoke creates health problems. The higher price might also encourage some parents to quit, which would be most beneficial to the overall health of the family. from Wiscasset, ME by Judith

Comment: the tax is fine but I feel that this is unfair to the smokers, the same amount of tax should be added to every bottle of booze. Why pick on just the smokers. from Lisbon, Maine by Janice

Comment: NO!! If money is needed to support health care at any capacity then the tax should be spread out among several products that effects ALL people, not just one product or group. from Auburn, ME. by Pamela

Comment: Although I think smoking is discusting, it is yet another attempt by the government to raise money for things they cant afford. I have an idea! How about we stop policing the world and take that money and use it at home! There is a thought! How is places like Sweden, Norway and Belgium dont have these problems...wait for it....wait for it...because they are not out there spending or borrowing money from China to do things they can't afford. This country is such a disgrace and has fallen so far below the yellow line! We are the biggest losers! (Diana Ichton for President!!) from Biddeford/ME by Rob

Comment: NO!I'm not a supporter in the increase on cigarettes.They should tax all the alcohol because drinking and driving kills.How many times a day do u hear drinking and driving accidents and how many times have you heard about someone smoking a cigarette and driving and that ended up killing someone.They really should look at the facts, there is alot more out there to tax then just cigarettes. from Oxford, maine by Tina

Comment: give smokers a break.how about a .62 cent tax on bottled water or trail mix or some of that other healthy crap and give the sinners a rest.they are already taking it to the max now from bridgton by marty

Comment: NO I DONT! The feds should be taxing something that everyone would have to pay tax on....like toliet paper everyone needs that!!! I find it to be discriminating aganist smokers and it isnt fair at ALL! from Augusta by Melissa

Comment: YES!!!!!! tax then as much as you can ,they are causing so much health problems and is a massive drain on our health care costs, those smelly smokers need to pay more to cover the cost of taking care of them when they get lung cancer, throat cancer. stick it to them all you can !! from Wells, Maine by Dean

Comment: Any kind of "new tax" should be shot down. Why not have the doctors and medical personnel take a large paycut to make healthcare affordable? Forget the multi-million dollar entrance area to the hospitals!!!! Lay off taxing the smokers, i don't care who it will benefit! from Gray, Maine by Joe

Comment: I think smokers are being discriminated against enough. from Brunswick by Kathy

Comment: I recall obama saying he would not raise taxes on anyone making under some much money. Now, isnt this raising taxes like he said he wouldn't? NO! new spending. NO! new taxes! It is time for a Tea Party. Time to let washington and augusta know we the hard working citizens are tired of having our pockets and paychecks raped. We need to let all our governments know we have had enough. from Westbrook by Matt

Comment: I am an ex smoker I haven't smokes in 3 years. It took 10 years of trying to quit Smokers should not be charged for the Nations problems. Drunks are left alone Why becaust all reposenteves and senaters Drink Smoking is a poor mans Vise leave him Alone! from Lewiston, Maine by Brian

Comment: ABSOLUTELY. TAX THEM TO DEATH. Smoker's are gross and ignorant. Their poor choices are the reason why our health insurance is so expensive in the first place. from OXFORD COUNTY, MAINE by WENDELL

Comment: time to say thats it enough is enough i my self am sure cigarettrs are not good for any one but the end result is the same you die if have ever had smoked or not now lets say the real deal i can smoke but only were you say i can and to be honest to me as a disabled vet this is nolonger the the land of the free and home of the brave can someone please tell me why no one goes after the real cause of loss of life every day i have to worry about getting killed by some one each time i go out by a drunk driver i am pretty sure that if one looked at this i bet that you would never believe the real truth this state got 285 million from the tobaco companies that money was to help cover the cost of smoking related cost of health care and that money was used to buy lap tops for kids my wife has no ins and i can not afford any for her and that make me sad from milton twp by danny

Comment: I am sick to death of the ever increasing tax burden we are asked to bear. I don't smoke and never will, but the damn taxation without representation has to stop! from Sanford by John

Comment: No. I don't smoke... however we are taxed enough! from MtVernon by R

Comment: No, I think this is ridulous and I'm not a smoker! There. has to be other ways to raise this money,although we are taxed to death now. from oob by Babs

Comment: Honestly i don't care how much they tax those cancer sticks. i don't smoke so its not like its costing me any extra. from Eliot, ME by A

Comment: enough is enough when you need more money tax the people that cant afford it from windham by bob

Comment: It's time to stop with taxing smokers. I don't smoke but I don't look down on someone who does either. It's their choice to smoke, it's not mine. However, I think it's time to leave smokers alone. This state is lucky a smoker hasn't researched their rights and start some law suits, what will the state do then? There is no money to pay forward after losing a lawsuit, didn't think about that did you Gov. Baldi? from Southern Maine by Sue

Comment: Whether you're a smoker or not, you have to realize that cigarettes are being taxed out the ying-yang. Cigarette smokers just had a price increase earlier this month and now this. Terrible time to raise taxes. People are broke as it is. from Standish by Tim

Comment: I dont think its right just to tax people that smoke cigarettes from augusta by stephanie

Comment: the old people need it more by chris

Comment: If the government wants to provide health insurance for children, one group of people should not have to pay for it. Make it a tax across the board so that everyone contributes. Or better yet, have AIG executives pay for it with their bonuses. from Maine by Sherry

Comment: they always want to tax cigarettes what about something else or making it equal across the board on more than one thing from Rockland by timothy

Comment: Yes but I don't think the children will benefit that much. Someone will find a way to use it for something other than what it is intended for . This is just another way to get the money from the people who need it the most. from Sanford by Ruth

Comment: Maybe more people will stop smoking.... from Hollis by L

Comment: Sure why not? So the non-smokers can complain about the when and where the smokers can and can't smoke while the smokers pay for their kids health insurance.... from maine by C

Comment: Enough is enough! As a single mother that provides health insurance for my child, with no child support, NOT by choice, with an average cleaning job, these adult parents need to get off their duff and provide for their families and stop getting a free ride for all of us doing the right thing as hard as it seems. I am sick and tried of the State of Maine, the way life should be---raising taxes on anything and everything, when I am just squeaking by! It is sicking, when I would make out better on welfare honestly! from Portland, ME by Donna

Comment: Yes. If the smokers are going to pump this toxic gas around our children, then they mind as well help to heal them when they get sick. from OOB, ME by Mike

Comment: Why pick on cigarette smokers, why not tax the booze like that from Winthrop by D

Comment: you know what the irony is about smoking? The laws of our country ban drugs, and they should, however they let cigarettes and alcohol still be legal and there proven to be more deadly or just as. I quit smoking 5 years ago and smoked for 12 years before that. I'm not saying to legalize drugs but maybe the opposite and ban everything.Oh yeah , I forgot that would be common sense. sorry! from casco by rick

Comment: YES, CIGERETES ARE NASTY, THEY SMELL HORRIBLE,AND THEY SHOULD BE 20.00 A PACK. OUR KIDS ARE THE FUTURE AND THEY NEED THE EXTRA.DON from greene,me by don

Comment: Government officials are a bunch of hipocrites. They keep increasing taxes on cigarettes in efforts to get people to stop. If they are that concearned about saving lives,then just ban cigarettes. They won't because it is too much of a revenue loss....Hipocrites. Just leave tax payers alone, especially in this economy. from Lebanon by Fed Up

Comment: It is ridiculous. It is a proven fact that most smokers are Middle and Lower class. What a way to get out of a recession. When everybody quits smoking where is this money going to come from ?? from richmond, me by Kevin

Comment: No, It's too selective. 100% of the people should pay their share, not just smokers. Besides that we know the price of illegal drugs does not make them quit, why should the price of tobacco have any effect on consumption??????? by Ann

Comment: YES! Its about time that those who cause hi health costs paid more. from Monmouth by Ken

Comment: I understand the cigarette tax but I think it is about time they raise the tax on alcohol and other things that also can cause illnesses and potentially kill people!! from Turner by Kelli

Comment: The poorest/thriftiest are hardest hit-a 1 lb. bag of bulk tobacco will jump from $18 to about $40. That's unfair. from Portland, ME by Deborah

Comment: I'm a nonsmoker, but I don't agree with raising the cost of addicts' drugs to fund government. from W. Minot, Me. by Mike

Comment: I think it is discrimination against smokers. Take it from somewhere else and I don,t even smoke! from Peru'Maine by Lawrence

Comment: go for it! don't smoke and am sick and tired of people seeing that you aren't smoking when passing you on the street and blowing their smoke your way!! from Richmond/Maine by Russ

Comment: I think that cigarettes have been raised high enough. They should raise alcohol if anything for health reasons. You can smoke and drive but can't drink and drive. It makes sense. from auburn, Maine by Doug

Comment: just as long as it is easier for kids to get health insurance like right now we have none from augusta maine by susan

Comment: All of us pay more in insurance and health costs due to illnesses created by cigarette smoking. Of course taxing cigarettes and using the funds towards helping insure children makes sense. from ME by annie

Comment: more taxes on smokers...but when it comes to alchol, no way right(which just got voted down) and when u get what u want..no smokers..who pays then? Lets see a health/ criminal cost analysis: smokers vs drinkers and then decide from clinton by frederick

Comment: I don't agree with any tax increases in this difficult economic time. However, if the need is such for an increase, why don't we increase taxes on items that directly impact a child's health such as junk food that children these days seem to consume at an alarming rate. I see children as young as three eating twinkies, but I haven't seen a three year old smoking a cigarette as of late. from Sanford by Bryan

Comment: I am a non smoker, but still don't agree with this tax. I may not agree with smoking, but there are people that have been smoking for years and haven't been able to quit, why should they have to help pay for health insurance for children. from Augusta, ME by Jody

Comment: What about an increase in liquor instead? I'd much rather encounter a driver smoking a cigarette that one inebriated. Too many alcholics by far.Matter of fact this a regrissive tax.I'm not a smoker. from Yarmouth by Nancy

Comment: Time to start on the sale of beer, wine, etc. Smokers are always the target, and no, I am not a smoker. from Biddeford by Mary

Comment: Alcohol can create numerous health issue's , lets tax everything that a few have determined that the rest of us shouldn't be doing! It's B S ! from Portland by Deborah

Comment: I'm tired of them raising cigarette takes. Why don't they tax alcohol more? from Acton, Maine by Edward

Comment: I sure do, only wish it was more like what New York charges for a pack of cigarettes $9.00 a pack. from Portland, Me. by Elizabeth

Comment: keep raising the price so people will quit. where does the money come from when they do? what do they tax next? from lewiston by andy

Comment: When are people going to stand up and say enough picking on those who smoke ? There are plenty of those who drink, when will the time come for them to start overtaxing alcohol ?? Its not fair to continue taxing one product and not another, both are legal, so why not tax alcohol this time ? Maybe we'd have less drunk drivers on the road from Lewiston by Paul

Comment: people just know when to quit maybe think more about people could buy a new car .help the childern from Madbury, N.H. by barbara

Comment: Smoking is an addiction, and people will take food from the kids mouths to feed that addiction, but gee they will have health insurance, not a good deal. from lewiston, me by Irene

Comment: The state has gone way to far as it is--now the feds are getting into it. i stop smoking 7 years ago but i still care for thoses who do. from rockland,me by marcel

Comment: Tax alcohol. I would rather be in the company of someone who smokes then the company of someone who drinks or better yet somehow find a way to tax cell phone users while they are driving. from Jay by Kathryn

Comment: I think it is great the way the Gov. takes advantage of people who have gotten addicted to nicotine.WHO's NEXT? from Poland by David

Comment: i am a cigarette smoker and i would support the increase if my kids could get health insurance, but only my 9 month old gets insurance from mechanic falls maine by tasha

Comment: Tax alcohol, leave the smokers alone, they always tax cigarrettes. What happened to the lotteries that are supposed to help with education? That obviously doesn't happen either. Children don't get the services they need here anyway. If they do, the care is not adequate, for children OR adults by Susan

Comment: smokers are getting a bum rap on this one, most smokers have insurance that they pay out of pocket and people that don't smoke and have kids that can't pay insurance for their kids should be accountable and should have to pay something for their free insurance from augusta by colleen

Comment: The government, both Federal and State gets enough taxes , it is time to cut the budgets and let families take care of themselves, What ever happened to personal responsibility? from Westbrook, Maine by John

Comment: YES!! If a $0.62 increase on a pack of cigarettes will help pay for more health insurance for children. from Sanford by Ms

Comment: NO! How does government think they will make more than they currently do when and hope smokers smoke less? It can't be both ways. This kind of nanny law is just shy of communism. I for one will just smoke less and they will just make the same money from me. The tobacco companies that lobby congress will not like it because as I said I will be buying less product and they make less. I hope they do it to alcohol. I know it will not affect those on the ever swelling Medicaid roles. The working stiffs like myself will still support them like we always have and they will find free money to buy the smokes no matter what..crime, drugs..it still pays.. from westbrook by missy

Comment: They shouldn't just tax tabacco, they should also tax liquor, beer and wine as well. They should tax all of those types of products. from Lisbon by Dawn

Comment: Absolutely not, hasn't the state's government attacked the smoker's long enough. Liguor taxes are the ones that should be increased. How many people drinking and driving this week have tragically taken lives? from Buxton,Maine by Ellen

Comment: The State looks to the smokers as a cash cow. Every time I turn around the tax has gone up, maybe its about time they tax the alcohol drinkers for a change. I am out raged on this new tax and on the roll your own tabacco it will increased over 2000 percent, thats right, 2000 percent. Where is the fairness on taxation For a legal activity? from Buxton by Sandra

Comment: alot of you folks are missing the point! i dont like smoking and my mother died of lung cancer but last time i checked IT WAS STILL LEGAL! from WINDHAM by CHUCK

Comment: why just tax cigarettes why not tax hard liquior also. Thats not healthy for you either from so portland by angela

Comment: I'm iffy on it, people will smoke no matter what. Taxes are a thing in life that we all have to deal with. Its just people being money hungry you know that none of the money will go to health insurance. from Sanford by Miss Independent

Comment: We need more taxes on cigarettes. from maine by ron

Comment: I paid insurance for my children, parents can pay for thiers. from maine by charlie

Comment: I think the state cigarette law is enough. The state already has a policy of not smoking when children are around and now the state is trying to increase the tax to help children! That is what we have the president for... to control health insurance. We are having a hard time in living as it is. So we should leave the price of cigarettes alone. we are already paying over $ 6.00 a pack for cigarettes and close to $9.00 on bags of tobacco. from biddeford, maine by jim

Comment: I am a smoker and sick and tired of the cigarettes always getting the raise. Why not raise money on hard liquor? Because it's state run. from portland by jamie

Comment: They should be $20 a pack........they are a useless addiction that kills too many innocent people. from Biddeford, ME by Steve

Comment: If they can afford to buy butts they should be able to pay for some healthcare too. from Waterville, ME by Brian

Comment: I am a smoker myself.And I have kids too. I beleave this may help alot of people.For the better. So I say YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!! Please all that want to quit the bad habit. Increasing taxes may help do that! from Lewiston Maine by Terry

Comment: No way! I like me a good puff here and there and the way things are going i wont be able to afford them. from Greenvile by Henry

Comment: I am a smoker and i dont think its right to always put taxes on us smokers... why cant you put some more taxes on alcohol drinks or something else other than always picking on us smokers.. from Sabattus by Crystal

Comment: I certainly hope it will give more people an incentive to quit. A raise in taxes in 1988 worked for me and I just can't imagine how anyone can afford to smoke with these current prices and why they would want to at what will it be 40 or 50 cents a butt now? from Gray by Jan

Comment: I think the pedophiles in this state should pay a weekly fee that would cover the medical expenses for the children that they have hurt. There's plenty of them in this state and the smokers have taken the hit over and over and over again. Enough is enough. from Biddeford by Valerie

Comment: I think it's absurd. I don't smoke cigarettes and never would (my mother actually died from smoking) but enough is enough for the smokers. The government doesn't care about our lives. Cigarettes are a proven killer, and the more money the government makes off of them shows me that they dont value the lives of smokers if they make the most money off of them. Find other ways to come up with the money. from Portland by John

Comment: This is one of President Obama's "NO TAX INCREASE" unless you make $250,000, he preys on you. from Harrison by Paul

Comment: How Do the Folks that voted for "change" feel now. Get ready for more and higher taxes! from Hollis Me by Rick

Comment: Where are they going to get tax dollars when everyone stops smoking. I think they should tax liquor! They kill ! from Mc Falls, Me. by M.

Comment: Cancer, Emphesima, are the reason why health insurance is so exspensive to begin with, plus people throw their cigarettes everywhere including the beach out there windows. It's a pollution problem as well. from Saco by Evan

Comment: Cigarettes are already taxed high. Where is that money going? What about the settlement money the states are spending on things other than health? Alcohol can cause fetal problems and birth defects but we don't raise those taxes. Are cigarette smokers footing the health care costs for that too? Fair is Fair. Tax one high, tax the other high too. from Limerick, Maine by Mary

Comment: No i do not. It singles out certain people to pay the bill from buxton by chris

Comment: It's discrimination!!! Why are we punishing smokers? Because someone in the government doesn't agree with it? Ridiculous!! What about drinkers? Why is it always the smokers? from Maine by Anonymous

Comment: The goverenment could have taxed beer but instead they taxed tobacco. I am a smoker and now will not be able to afford to smoke. Now the government will be paying for people on state aid to have medication to help them quit. I am very upset that the government made the decision for me to quit. from Oxford, Maine by Jennifer

Comment: Smoking and second hand smoke is a very big health risk. It is a deadly vice that should be taxed again and again until it holds no viability. We need to support the uninsured children and not the people who are wrecking their own health for us to pay for it later in life. from Gorham, ME by Shonn

Comment: In stead of raising taxes and targeting smokers, why not rethink how insurance coverage is set up, make it more effective. It is not fair to make smokers targets. When in history has rasing taxes ever been a good thing??? from Biddeford, Maine by Rebekah

Comment: No I do not. Even though I used to smoke, I think smokers are being unfairly taxed. I also think it will lead to more and more crime as smokers are forced to quit!! Some people can't or won't quit!! from Camden, Me by Linda

Comment: No. Smokers have been hit with new taxes everytime the state or goverment needs money for programs from lewiston by daniel

Comment: i dont mind the tax on smoking but what about the alchol,i feel that should be taxed as well.they talk about second hand smoke and health issues,what about drunk drivers and the deaths they cause from saco by wanda

Comment: I am not a smoker and do not like the smell or the mess however the question is, is this still a free country? It seems like a few people are making laws and forcing them on everyone more and more often much like some of the countries in the nonfree sector. The middle class working people are being badly over taxed constantly and given less and less choices in life. Many people unfortunately are hooked on them and this is just one more thing to increase the difficulty of our people. from Friendship by Lee

Comment: I think that the plan will not assist health insurance for children as more and more people refuse to buy cigarettes. Not a good plan! from Lewiston by Anonymous

Comment: I HAVE A VERY FIXED INCOME AND YES I KNOW THE HAZARDS OF SMOKING , BUT I AM TOTALLY ADDICTED.I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING ON THE MARKET AND FROM DOCTORS. I HAVE BEEN UNDER HORRIBLE STRESS SINCE MY DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. I BYE IT BY THE POUND BAGS AND ROLL MY OWN TO SAVE ON MONEY AND I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE BAG WHICH USUALLY COSTS 15.98 IS GOING TO BE 30-35 A BAG. THIS IS A CRIME IN MY EYES TAKE WHAT LITTLE AWAY FROM FOLKS WHO HAVE SMOKED SO LONG AND GET A RELIEF FROM STRESS, AND YES I EXERSIZE ALSO. IT IS NOT RIGHT BUT NOONE HEARS FROM PEOPLE LIKE US, THEY JUST DO WHAT THEY WANT ANYWAYS.I AM VERY VERY UPSET OVER THIS MATTER. from AUGUSTA by MARY

Comment: With all do respect I am a smoker and I do have kids.I do not and will not smoke around my kids.I do not agree with all of the tax increase because I believe smokers are being the only target.I do believe that kids insurance is important but there should be taxing on other products such as alcohol. from Lewiston ME by Liesa

Comment: If the tax is raised enough more people will quit smoking reducing the overall tax collected.funding important programs this way is doomed to fail from Bridgton by Brett

Comment: I have to wonder why smokers have to take up the slack in providing insurances? Target ONE group? AGAIN? Why not liquor? Will that be seeing a tax increase? I think this is a pathetic way for Maine to get out of providing insurances to people that can't afford it. How many people do you think will NOW buy their cigarettes illegally? Tsk tsk tsk, Maine. Shame on you. No wonder people are leaving this state. from South Paris, Maine by Brenda

Comment: it is unfair to target a select group of people drugs cause major health problems never mind the cost for methadone clinics and such find a way to tax them to death at least smoking is legal from thomaston maine by william

Comment: why dont they leave the smokers alone.it's my choice,i allready pay out the nose for health care,now they want more from portland maine by george

Comment: Absolutely. The higher the tax the better. The more people that quit the cheaper our insurance will be because the smokers have a higher risk of illness. from Rumford by Fred

Comment: When I die,if from something other than cigs.Will my heirs get a refund?For all the taxes and higher ins. premiums I've paid assumming that I'll pass from smoking. It's funny,the other day I heard that alzhiemers was creating a huge burden on our health care system.Because people are living longer healthier lives.Not to mention they are also collecting longer on social security and medicare. from buxton/maine by rick

Comment: What is wrong with the "rainy day fund". What happened to freedom of choice? I have begun to quit, but I think this is some sort of descrimination. I thought we were out of that sort of thing. Guess not. Why has the sales tax not gone up, why has the alcohol tax gone up, property taxes, income taxes are going down. What's wrong with this picture? from Westbrook, Maine by Freda

Comment: Hiking taxes on cigs is a great idea! It is not taxing one group to pay for another. Many smokers have illnesses that, whether they pay for their insurance or not, affects us all with higher premiums on private insurance, and higher taxes to pay for Mainecare. Besides, just think of having all the money one would have paid for cigs saved - instead - at the end of the year? Put the cost of 1 carton per week away, and one could have almost $2000 in savings! from Parsonsfield/ME by Tiffany

Comment: NO,right now the tax on cigarettes is higher then any thing else.The last report I read claimed that our children suffer from over-weight.SHOULDN'T WE BE TAXING HAPPY MEALS INSTEAD??? from Casco by Dan

Comment: Does this mean that since I pay for my kids' health and dental insurance already, I will get a refund? It is not helping my children, so who will it benefit? Maybe it will go into the pockets of the rich like all the stimulous money. Another great Obama initiative? from Brunswick by P

Comment: Enough is enough on the smokers! from acton, me by a

Comment: No, as a smoker I think we've been taxed to the hill on cigarettes. I'm sure those big CEO's at AIG can contribute more than enough of their bonuses for health insurance for children and then some!!!! from Buxton, Maine by Laurie

Comment: Our local and federal governments need a flat tax for all earned income, on all persons and businesses. Stop picking one group or another to meet their needs. from Lewiston, ME by Kent

Comment: Smokers are paying for everything. They should start going after the boozers. I've watched the half gallon size bottle of Allen's Coffee Flavored Brandy since 1999. Between then and now Allen's has only gone up ONCE! Over TEN years the price went from $19.49 to $19.99. Can you believe that?! 50 cents! As far as inflation goes alcohol is your best buy, economically speaking. What kind of reasoning motivates this State. The lives that are lost each year due to drinking and/or drunk driving, the cost of rehabs,court & other related consequences. Divorces, spousal abuse, the list of alcohol use (even moderate) is devastating! Talk to any substance abuse counseler or Mercy Westbrook. Withdrawal from alcohol is THE MOST dangerous of all drugs! It's proven. I could go on but really, think about it...one 50 cent increase in TEN YEARS?! Smokers can go out side to smoke. One head on collision with a drunk driver and an entire family can be wiped out. Where's the logic? Go ahead, have another drink,after all it IS your best economic value,but,when your judgement level goes down make sure you're not caught lighting a cigarette! After all, we're ALL concerned about the health and well-being of the the drunk that's about to mow us down! from Portland,ME by Stephen

Comment: I have family members that spend more every month on cigs then they do on there car payments. If they need to choose between paying their bills or cigs, they may just quit their cigs or cut down at least. from Edgecomb by Dan

Comment: They cant tax cigarettes enough! People that smoke shouldnt be covered by their employers health care program. We all end up paying more for healthcare because of smokers. from Raymond by Duane

Comment: If they want to make smoking illegal, just make it illegal. Stop penalizing hard working Mainers who choose to smoke. If you feel it isn't healthy then you don't have to do it. from Augusta by Bill

Comment: ABSOLUTLY YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! from new gloucester, me by eRIN

Comment: People will still pay the ridiculous price to kill themselves. from Belgrade by Cameron

Comment: Absolutely. If you smoke, you need to pay the price. It is a hazard to everyone, especially those who smoke. by Anne

Comment: MORE PEOPLE WILL QUIT THE HIGHER THE PRICE GOES. THATS WHY I QUIT. from STANDISH ME by JACK

Comment: I think they should Tax candy and Soft drinks and chips, not Cigarettes. from Biddeford Maine by Irene

Comment: Put the tax on something that every one uses,so that more money will be raised,and we all give fairly. from Avon by Randall

Comment: if people r dumb enough to waste money on smokes...might as well put the $$$ to a good cause from sanford, maine by mark

Comment: I think that all this taxing on cigarettes is very unfair. I don't smoke, but I believe that anyone who chooses to do so should be allowed, it is their right and taxing the heck out of them is just cruel. from Albany Twp., ME by Marissa

Comment: We can no longer use other peoples habits to support a over spending government. Stop paying all the welfare to illegals and we wouldn't need a new tax !!! from Harrison by Cliff

Comment: I find it curious that every time someone wants to fund something, that smokers are the target. So what happens when it gets to the point that smokers quit? What group will be targeted next to fund all these little projects? If you want to fund all these projects, lets make it fair and taz across the board. After all, if EVERYONE thinks it is a good idea to, in this example pay for more health insurance for children, then EVERYONE should be paying for it. from Portland by Therese

Comment: Don't we have enough taxes? by Jessica

Comment: its bull crap they dont put that much tax on alchol or so why do it to ciggerate smokers they think they can keep raising the tax to get people to quit well make sure someone quits drinking for once from biddeford by l

Comment: I can't think of a better way to to help out children. If smokers have money to kill themself they have money to help out a child! Tax Away!! from New Gloucester Maine by Anna

Comment: I am tierd of bearing the brunt of tax increases just because I choose to smoke. from Rumford by Chris

Comment: After my father, died I was without health care as a teenager, and so far through most of college. Not being able to afford health care has caused many parents and young adults to put their health and their children's health at great risks by not seeing a doctor regularly for lack of insurance. Doctors visits are expensive, even if you see the doctor for 5 minutes. Children need health coverage. As a child we could detect life threatening issues that pose a threat to them with regular check ups, annual shots, and visits when sick. Sure you wanna hike taxes on alcohol go for it. I don't smoke and rarely purchase an alcoholic drink...If paying an extra dollar at the register meant knowing the kid down the road was healthy, it's worth it to me... from Standish by Stacy

Comment: I am a non smoker but too many people are taking advantage of the system already. Do I agree with children going without insurance?no I do not! But I think the system needs to go through and take a good look at the people taking advantage of system already and cut the benefits that they get handed to them, I know alot of people that brag that they get more out of the system by doing nothing. by Sylvia

Comment: Why do you people not see how wrong it is to use a product you want stopped to benefit kids? What if all people stop smoking, where will you get the funds then. My kids and grandkids all live in Maine and I do not want them to get services paid through sin taxes. Why not tax twinkies 1 dollar more a pack? from Center Ossipee, NH by Regina

Comment: I THINK THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS BESIDES JUST TAXING CIGS. WE ARE ALREADY OVER TAXED. from poland maine by pat

Comment: Our State Government is so far away from reality it's scary. I work, pay for insurance and child support (key word there WORK). It seems to me the real problem is with these Insurance companies. Raising rates as they feel and charging these outrageous fees then question every claim.Its simple, I pay, They pay and still turn a profit but greed sets in and they need more bonuses, higher salaries... I'm sure Baldacci is whipping up some law making it mandatory to have insurance then the insurance companies can really give it to us! All of these pathetic Government officials have no clue what they're doing except following the same beaten muddy path. This is just the beginning folks. Hang on and enjoy the ride. Its gonna be a doozie from Auburn by Don

Comment: i think they should raise the tax on somthing different than cigs all the time it seams like they focus on smokers when ever this goverment decides they need more money and its not right and also its not fair from jay maine by scott

Comment: I don't agree with the tax hike, its always the smoker's who get criticized,taxes on alcohol, fast food, soda's and snacks should be raised also, parents feed this stuff to their kids everyday and making the obesity rate go up, I bet these parents aren't smokers though, the obesity rate makes for higher medical bills also, alcoholics have high medical bills also. I think its time America wakes up and see's that it's not just the smoker's anymore that's making the health cost go up. from saco by Kelly

Comment: I'm a non smoker, but don't agree with taxing a small group of people, many of whom are poor or on fixed incomes Many are addicted and unable to quit as hard as they try. By the way its even more of a jump in price for those that roll their cigarettes. A 1 pound package of tobacco will be going from $17 to $50 on April 1st. Now that's one hell of a tax jump! by Maureen

Comment: We are going in the wrong direction to get people who are addicted off cigarettes. We need to get the companies that caused this mess to help fully to fix it. By increasing the tax is only making things worse all the way around. from Lewiston, ME by Carl

Comment: I think the tax on the cigarettes is completely out of line and discriminating. I think if anything should be taxed increase, it should be the 6 pk. of beer,because people drink and drive and hurt others and even kill others, but yet that has not been considered; to my knowledge. from Gardiner Maine by Donald

Comment: The government is trying to control citizens more and more.I would want to see proof that the increased tax is spent. I know more alcoholics than smokers...stick it to them for a change or to speeders,coffee drinkers,cell phone drivers, etc. from Portland,Maine by Nancy

Comment: I roll my cigs and the tax is going up over 2000% a bag..Thats just plain stupid. I thought Obama SAID no new taxes???? from Sabattus ME by Richard

Comment: I feel people should have the right to smoke cigarettes if they want and shouldn't have to pay a ridiculous price. from Bowdoinham, Maine by Gail

Comment: NO, there are other things that could be taxed. how about soada, beer,wine,or better yet how about making bicycals that shair the roads pay for insureance, and regerstation. or how about taking some of the taxs we pay for school computers for kids, Point is there are meny other places to get health care for kids, and others. some people in this state are starting to head in the same direction of marxis, next it will be, sieg hiel. from windham/ maine by skip

Comment: just another form of gettin money from the people like we dont get blead to death in taxes now from lyman maine by jeremiah

Comment: HEY ANYONE NEED A RIDE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE? NO WAY. WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE WE ARE THE ONLY ONES BEING TAXED. WE AS SMOKERS FEEL LIKE WE ARE BEING TAXED SO MUCH?.WHY DOES OUR GOVERNER TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT WHAT THIS STATE HAS FOR PROGRAMS.WHY ARE WE TAX PAYER PAYING FOR DRIVERS TO TAKE PEOPLE TO THE METH LABS. from south paris by janet

Comment: This will just drive people to smoke marijuana instead,then the State will have more health problems. I've heard people comment on growing their own, instead in stores. from Gardiner by Bruce

Comment: No They should increase it on alchohol Maybe it will help with oui, hit and runs, ruined families, people killed on our roads do too drunks, raise a bottle of beer or wine or hard stuff a buck and see what happens then from Monmouth by Mike

Comment: I don't smoke,but why target the addicted smokers unfairly? I believe alcohol ruins and takes FAR MORE lives than tobacco,but beer is sometimes CHEAPER THAN BOTTLED WATER.When is the massive alcohol lobby going to pay their fair share for the health and social problems THEIR product causes our society ? from Newfield by Henry

Comment: Another stupid tax idea...!!!! from Cape by Mike

Comment: This is a hideous tax - on the poor. Statistically, more lower income citizens are smokers, making this a tax targeted at them! Yes, I am a non-smoker. from Topsham by Joe

Comment: No. Why not tax alcohol or fast food chains. Obesity is another fast climbing health problem in the US. Also, you don't see smokers getting in there car @ 2:00 at night and running the risk of hitting other drivers!!!! Why should smokers be the only one penalized. from Windham, ME by R

Comment: 1. Another program funded by tax dollars 2. Revenue from smokers will eventually go down. 3. Now who shoulders the funding for this established program? from Portland, Maine by Bob

Comment: Yes, in fact increase the tax more than that. But this is only step one. Step two, legalize marijuana and tax that. Step three, legalize all other illicit drugs and tax them. Take these measures and all good social programs would be well funded. from Brunswick, ME by Gary

Comment: I do not think it is right for only smokers to support the children medical. I am a smoker, and I love children, but I still do not believe that we have to support medical just because we choice to smoke. The state needs to pick another habit to afford there bills instead of always picking on smokers...people will quit when they are ready. What happen to our freedom...we are grown people...you are not our boss... from Winthrop by J...

Comment: Since I can name at least ten woman off the top of my head with at least four children and who support dead beat boyfriends with there wellfare checks, and you can see many more hovering around the front door of DHHS, I don't think the need for more money for health care should fall on the heads of those who already pay the highest premiums. Why not limit the number of children consistently nonworking parents can have! I smoke but I don't have children, I shouldn't have to pay for someone else's child. Besides, the revenue from cigarette taxes are already in the billions, where's the rest of that money going??? from Portland by Rebekah

Comment: I do not agree with another tax hike. Aren't we taxed enough already in this State? Once again, they are picking on the working man.!!! from Eliot, Me. by Lena

Comment: Absolutely. We need to be creative about how we pay for health care. Why not ask folks who contribute to high health care costs to contribute more. I do think this is an incentive for some folks to stop smoking. from Portland by Sarah

Comment: why is it only smokers are having to pay all the extra taxes, come on! We really should start adding the extra taxes to Beer, more people drink then smoke, So the tax wouldn't even have to be so high. from Cumberland Maine by Melissa

Comment: why dont they tax alcohol,this time around there sure are more drunks than there are smokers.... from jay,maine by mike

Comment: although I'm all for more funds for child health insurance I feel that is other things that can have a tax increase besides tabacco. they already have seen large increases in the recent months, why can't we come to a compromise in these tough times that we all are feeling. from lisbon me by anonomous

Comment: here's a thought.. why not tax all the dead beat dads who don't pay their child support? 62 cents on every dollar they don't or refuse to pay?? and enforce it no matter if they have to live on the streets..if they can make them why not pay for them? and FYI every single human being is born with a cancer cell its our environment surrounding that causes it. why not tax the things that really cause cancer like the smoke we put in the air from our cars, our oils that we burn in homes, gas that we use to heat up our homes or the places of work that actually due more damage to the environment then a smoker will every do in his/her lifetime. Its not the smoke from cigarettes that's killing us , its our own stupidity that is. pick a better cause to tax something.. everything we use and eat can and will cause cancer.. even medicine does. So why are we taxing cigarettes for? Its not the main cause of cancer. We are killing ourselves from the way we are living and using this small world we have. one last question for people out there.. how much pollution does one business put out in a day and compare it to a cigarette? you'd be amazed by the answer. from LIvermoreFalls, Maine by Amy

Comment: Rather than continuing the practice of taxing a few to help a few, why not get our elected state officials to do what we've elected them to do. Health care reform (overhauling the system to bring COSTS down) should be the priority rather than just looking for another to fund programs for a few!!!!!!!! from Topsham by Jim

Comment: I have been a smoker for twenty-plus years and have seen our freedom crushed daily by people trying to tax us into quiting.When the government finally wins and everybody quits.Who then will they tax to support the failing healthcare plan.How about a stupid law tax ?Surely our over paid government can part with some of their excessive wages to cover the gap. from Dixfield/ME by Corey

Comment: Sounds pretty much like an oxymoron doesn't it? Tax cigarettes which cause health related problems to pay for more health insurance? Am I missing something?? by Deb

Comment: I have been a non-smoker now for 5 years and would never go back, but I think the smokers have taken the hit long enough. When the government wants more money they hit the smoker. Hit the drinkers for a change. A real hefty tax might help keeping them off the roads as killers. The states for years invested in the tobacco companys because of great paybacks on their stock holdings. Give the smoker a break. from Gardiner, ME by Dave

Comment: No I am a smoker and I don't think that it is fair that the goverment has raised the prices on cigarettes a few times and they don't raise the prices on alcohol.To me I think that alcohol should have the taxes raised on it because it kills people and also makes people do stupid things and not remember it the next day but yet cigarettes don't do that to people. Yes it could cause death but not to do stupid stuff and not remember. from Hollis Center, Maine by Angel

Comment: It is outrageous! Why not tax something else?

Comment: When all else fails,tax the smokers.Obesity is a big problem,tax cheeseburgers & fries& supersize the tax. from Portland,ME by Dennis

Comment: let it rise,maybe less people throwing cigarette butts out their windows or on the ground from buxton by gary

Comment: No more taxes, live on what you got, like the rest of us!!! from augusta,maine by neil

Comment: Why are smokers being taxed so much? Why not tax alcohol just as much? from East Waterboro by Sherry

Comment: I am all for taxing stuff so kids can have health insurance however, taxing cigarettes doesnt make alot of sense. If you were to tax something that EVERYONE buys and would have to pay the tax for instead of just the smokers then you would get more money for health insurance and more kids could get the insurance. Also this tax is going to drive people to quit smoking so you wont be getting all the money you plan to get anyway. Think about it! from Richmond, Me. by anonymous

Comment: What ever happened to living free in America. This is not being free, being forced to do something that you don't want to do. It only makes certain people pay. Not very American by Rachel

Comment: I so wish that all folks could and would give up such a life destroying habit, if only they would give quitting a try. Maybe for some folks the added expense will be incentive. from Gorham, Maine by Sandy

Comment: I support it 100%. I don't want to hear about "smoker's rights". I'm sick of breathing their smoke because of a foolish habit they picked up when they were a stupid kid. Smokers are disgusting and smell like garbage. Tax 'em until they can no longer afford it! from Portland by Mark

Comment: smokers are being unfairly singled out from oxford by dave

Comment: I DON'T support tax hike!!! Prices are going up on everything, people are getting laid off from work left & right. How are we supposed get by? I was working for a company 11 years. My unemployment check is for $44.00 a week. from yarmouth, Me. by charles

Comment: They have already raised and reraised the taxes. What about alcohol??Why are we targeting people. I understand smoking is bad,but so is drinking, and chocolate, and I think maine has a much bigger problem with alcohol and obesity. Morons, all of them from Lewiston by Kris

Comment: Sure do... from naples by B

Comment: It has become politically correct to denigrate this segment of the populace and they are an easy target. Much of the blame and taxes have disproportionately been focused here. There are, however, other areas that significantly contribute to increased health care costs that have remained unaffected. How about similarly taxing some of the other product that contribute to obesity, diabetes, and poor heart health? Sugary foods, fatty foods, and alcohol. In closing, a question. Does the Federal Government still provide subsidies to tobacco farmers? If so, perhaps that tax money should be diverted to other areas! from Westbrook, Me by Steve

Comment: i dont feel that smokers should be the only ones being punised for health insurance issues from auburn maine by christopher

Comment: Smokers put a huge burden on Insurance companies anyways. Smoking kills, and your insurance pays that Bill. Seems reasonalbe to have smokers pay for for their healthcare from Limington by Becky

Comment: the state got dirgo messed up... why do it again? from lewiston by anita

Comment: So does this mean that the smokers that are already on Mainecare get more benefits while us workers can't afford health insurance for our own families? We pay extra for their's yet we can't afford our own! I'm a non-smoker!!! from casco,me by deborah

Comment: YES!!! If it wasn't for smokers, my heath insurance would be much lower but everyone has to pay higher premiums as a result! They should be paying even more! from Porltand ME by Brian

Comment: Why not tax something that is growing and not diminishing? from New Gloucester, ME by Ken

Comment: my husband quit smoking he said it is not right for him to waste money. I need to have some dental work done I am out of work trying to find a job. He is the best husband anyone could have from Saco by diane

Comment: No one is addressing the fact that roll your own tobacco is going from approx.$1.05 a pound to $25.00 a pound.This hurts poor people who can't afford $6.00 a pack cigarettes and haven't been able to beat their addiction.The tobacco companies have hooked people and now the federal government is profiting!!For shame!! from windsor by wayne

Comment: Many children are around 2nd hand smoke, so anything we can do to get people to quit or provide health care to children we should do. from b by Barry

Comment: I dont personally smoke, but I dont think it's fair at all. What happens if they keep raising the tax and people keep quitting? Then what are they going to do when they have nothing to put toward the childrens health insurence??? from Gorham Maine by Lindsay

Comment: This is a small price to pay for health insurance for children, and tobacco taxes have been shown to be a deterrent for people to start smoking. For those who want to quit smoking, it isn't easy, but there are many public resources to help. from Lewiston by Erin

Comment: Alcohol is worse than cigarettes! Where are the ridiculous taxes on alcohol??? No, smoking is not good but smoking kills the smoker,drunk drivers kill innocent people!!!!GO AFTER SOMEONE ELSE! from dayton/ME by Tammie

Comment: Absolutely!! Cigarettes have no positive benefits to anyone, are a drain on the nation's health system and evidence again of the power that big corporations have on our country.No intelligent person can honestly say they should smoke and if jacking up the price is the only way to get people to stop smoking--do it! from Kennebunkport by Debra

Comment: It is not fair to place this entire cost upon tobacco addicts. If this is needed, all society should help. from newcastle, maine by william

Comment: I think the State could support enforcing a fine for littering. These cigarettes butts litter our highways and streets. The fines would increase state revenue. from Winthrop ME by Valerie

Comment: The state and government want people to quit smoking and if they do where will your tax money come from then - your beer/liquor? Smokers are being discriminated against and have been for a long time. Everyone else has rights except smokers -unfair! from Scarborough, ME by Judy

Comment: Why put such a high tax on just cigarettes? I think that there should be more taxes on liquor sales also. They want people to quit their smoking addiction but I think that more people should be quitting their alcohol addictions as well. I think drunk drivers are more dangerous than smokers. from Poland by Tammy

Comment: Instead of going after the smokers. you should go after the hospitals , doctors and pharmacys because they way overcharge for their services. by lowering costs insurance would be affordable. from Sabattus/ Maine by Irene

Comment: many adult and children's health issues are the direct and indirect result of smoking--lay the tax on to pay for them. from Gardiner by Rohn

Comment: Taxing smokers is a form of discrimination, why not tax overweight people for buying twinkies for their kids who are obese as well, that is a health problem, why not do it? from Westbrook by Thomas

Comment: They just went up $2.00 a pack, why keep beating a dog that wont die? Anyway people will just keep doing it and now you're taking food out of kid's mouths cause parents wont quit anyway. So as always the poor keep getting poorer cause cigarettes are all they have to help make them feel better that really makes sense to me. from bath,me by marcy

Comment: No!Insurance is the parents responsibility. from GREENE by MIKE

Comment: If it really went to the children i am all for it . Why not tax beer?????? from windham by cheryl

Comment: We are taxed to death on everything. from portland me by barbara

Comment: If they put taxes on cigarettes then they should raise the tax on everything else, so the smokers aren't the only one paying. How do rasing taxes help the economy, the poor are poor enough, dont you think? from westbrook Me by Denise

Comment: This is just another shot at the smokers. You tax the smokers and then tell them they can't smoke anywhere. What happens when all the smokers quit, what will they tax to make up the shortfall? Who or what is the next target? from Wiscasset by Lee

Comment: I dont think the government should tax the citizen, who has the individual choice to smoke. If they choose to kill themselves,then it's their individual choice. The government should not tax and force people to stop smoking, especially if they choose to smoke. The government needs to butt out. from gardiner, maine by joe

Comment: If you can't provide for the kids completely then don't have them. from Sanford by Derek

Comment: I just keep buying everything in NH-I know this is a Federal tax but NH is still a bargain. PS I thought Obama wasnt going to tax people under $250,000/ a lot of smokers under this income level. Whats next? Alcohol, gas, Big Macs? Its coming !!! from Gorham Maine by Peter

Comment: I suport this tax increase. However, alcohol can be just as detrimental to one's health, so why not tax thst too? from Winslow,ME by Ann

Comment: Let's start leaving individual groups alone and just go back to the 6% sales tax across the board. Maybe taking away some benefits from the legislators and others at the state house might be a good place to start too. from Augusta, ME by Randy

Comment: I know of a few people at work who are quitting smoking because it's become too expensive. That's good, right? But what about those poor children who don't get health care when people quit smoking? Does this mean people should smoke more? Should we encourage smoking in the workplace and in restaurants because it helps the children? Seriously, the purpose of taxes should not be to punish certain people. For all of us that don't smoke, rest assured- once enough people quit smoking and the tax revenue decreases, the government will come after YOU. from South Portland / ME by Jim

Comment: I think the state should put the tax burden on alcohol look at all the problems it causes so many people. You never hear that the police have to go to someones home because of smoking or that people were killed because someone was smoking going down the road or all the money the state pays out for 1/2 way homes because of drinking. I think the state needs to get it's head out of the sand and see where the tax should be. from Portland, Me by Marg

Comment: I do not support the increase, why is it up to everyone else to pay for health care for others children? As a single father with two teenagers of my own, I had to pay for their health care without assistance. it's time people took responsibility for their own action and not wait for others to pick up their broken pieces. Eventually the cigarette tax money will run out if everyone quits, then what? from Falmouth by Tony

Comment: tax alcohol...that is what kills innocent people. when someone gets drunk then gets into a 2 ton weapon. Alcohol should have the high taxes. from Wilton by Alana

Comment: I do not agree with the tax on cigarettes,what happens when that tax isn't enough?Sure it's easy to say cigarettes are bad, so sure raise the tax but we are only setting ourselves up for a tax on any other item the government chooses.Cigarette tax is just the first step, we need to be careful on this because people will quit smoking and when they do the government will find another item from which to gain revenue. from Rumford,Maine by Brian

Comment: Smoking can kill you. Lots of high school students in my town find ways to get cigarettes and it makes me sick. I'm surprised that it hasn't just been made illegal like pot and other drugs, because that's practically what it is anyway. from Maine by John

Comment: The state and federal government pay for methadone clinics to keep heroin addicts supplied, yet because I choose to smoke, I am treated like a criminal and taxed to death long before the cigerettes will kill me. Cigerettes are as much an addiction as heroin. Why doesn't the federal government prohibit companies from producing tobacco. Seems to me the government makes money of the growers and the sellers and buyers of tobacco. from Bridgton by Aileen

Comment: I feel that they should cost more and the tax should go towards the kids. smoking hurts everyone around them so they should pay to help them in return. There should also be jail time for those who smoke with children in the vehicle. from Bowdoinahm by Ron

Comment: i think its a great idea, they tax the smokers more. the smokers should have to pay to be nasty and stinky from auburn,me by casey

Comment: cigarettes are always taxed,I'd like to see alcohol taxed in the same manner. from Durham by Patricia

Comment: In my opinion it is discrimination against smokers to keep increasing the taxes. there is millions of items being sold in the united states.. so raise taxes a little bit on those and stop raising the cigarette tax. from Well, Maine by Tabitha

Comment: No legalize marijuana and tax it, Dont just pick on the smokers. Obesity is a bigger problem than smoking. It will help with the deficit and all the other problems, and put our law inforcement officials fighting crime where they need to be. from Winslow by John

Comment: If people want to pollute their bodies while being a nuissance and a health hazard to others they should contribute extra tax dollars for a good cause. from Berlin, NH by Dave

Comment: There is no guarantee that the money will go to the insurance from N. Berwick, ME by Marie

Comment: First of all smoking is a choice that one makes, it is not something that one needs to do. If increasing the tax on cigarettes will help towards insurance for children then I am all for it. from Farmington by Alysia

Comment: Most smokers are selfish, not thinking about what their death will do to their families. They don't consider leaving their butts on the ground litter. In this day and age, they know the effects smoking has on their bodies. Children need to have healthcare to grow big and strong. Maine should make cigarettes $8/pack like New York. by K