Metro Cigar News Summer 1998: Editor's Note

In the controversy coming out of Washington over the efforts to increase taxes on tobacco, one thing appears to stand out...what ever happens, you are going to get hit in the pocket.

All of us agree that young children should neither smoke, nor be encouraged to do so. But once a person has reached legal age, certain personal decisions have no place in the legislative mill.

In an effort to cut smoking, our elected federal officials are talking seriously about a major increase in tobacco taxes. Frankly speaking, that will have so small an impact on how many people smoke that it won't register on the charts at all. The bottom line is that this effort is really a move to tax people and divert attention from other more serious issues.

Let those of us who choose to smoke, do so. And let parents deal with their young children who am apt to begin smoking.

We strongly urge all of you to contact your U.S. Senators and Congress members and let them know that you will not vote for anyone who supports tobacco tax increases. Only you can make a difference.

Barbara Thorson

Publisher/Editor