And for good reason.
Citizens are sick and tired of sending significant portions of their paychecks to government.
But cigarettes seem to be a politically correct target, so they have a big bull's eye attached to them by bureaucrats and politicians. Both state and federal government agencies have targeted tobacco companies in recent years in an effort to improve public health. This may be a worthwhile goal, but I don t believe increasing taxes will eliminate smoking in the United States. Increasing taxes on cigarettes falls disproportionately on folks with lower incomes. I would also note the contradiction in the President's plan.