Obviously, as an ex-smoker, I am nowehere near as militant about this as you are. However, I must say that it is quite hypocritical of any administration who claims to be the friend of the working man to raise taxes on beer or cigarettes. Think about it - what does the working man want to do when he gets off work? Drink beer and smoke cigarettes <g>. One of the first things the labour government in England did when Wilson got in in 1963 was to raise taxes on both....

I realize that both are considered "sin" taxes, but I make a distinction between smoking and beer. Occasional drinking is far less serious than occasional smoking. I can have 2 guinnesses and either brush my teeth or pop a few mints, and no one will notice. :)