By suing tobacco companies instead of raising taxes, Maryland is engaging in a risky strategy when no risk needs to be taken. Maryland can lose the lawsuit, but no judge or jury will stop the legislature from raising tobacco taxes. The state's contention that it is owed reimbursement for expenses it has incurred because of tobacco may not prevail in court because tobacco is actually profitable for the state. Ghoulish as it may seem, this is true because smokers' shorter life spans decrease their total lifetime medical costs and old-age costs such as nursing home expenditures. Due to this fact and the revenue Maryland receives from tobacco taxes, tobacco is a profit-maker for Maryland.
Politicians supporting the state's lawsuit against tobacco companies have a variety of motivations.
Some want to see the state make money without having to raise taxes because raising taxes can be unpopular. Other public officials want good publicity by railing against politically-incorrect tobacco companies. And some politicians are truly motivated by a desire to stop people from tobacco-related health problems. Officials so motivated should stop equivocating and be true leaders. Either smoking is a choice or it isn't.