Tobacco and Why Sin Taxes Should Be Increased

ENG: 122 English Composition II
James Welsh
March 11, 2013

Tobacco and Why Sin Taxes Should Be Increased Tobacco may indeed come in many shapes and forms, but they all pose very high health risk to not only the consumer but also anyone around during consumption. Due to numerous toxins found in tobacco products as well as the help of science the government believes it will be wise to increase “Sin Taxes”. With the increase of such taxes healthcare will not only be more affordable, but tobacco products will less likely be purchased. Thus cutting the cost that the government pays in medical care for a smoker. While many people will argue that increasing “Sin Taxes” on tobacco products isn’t beneficial since smoking is an addiction. (Talylor, 2009)
The Forms of Tobacco and The Contents While tobacco has many forms they fall into two main categories Smoking Tobacco and Smokeless Tobacco. (Connecticut Department of Health, 2013). Some people believe that some forms are safer then others, the fact remains that there are no safe forms of tobacco and they all pose addiction as well as health problems. Falling under the category of smoking tobacco: Bidis, Cigarettes, Cigars (cigarillos and little cigars), Electronic Cigarette, Hookah, Kreteks and Pipes. Bidis and Kreteks have a higher concentration of nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide than the conventional cigarette. (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Bidi smoking increases the risk for oral cancer, lung, stomach, and esophageal caner. Smoking of Bidis is associated with coronary heart disease, heart attack, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smokers of Kreteks have and increased risk of acute lung injury and abnormal lung function. Cigars are sold in three major types large cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars. A cigar is tobacco wrapped in a