SMOKERS ARE TAXED TO DEATH

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, February 10, 1992                   TAG: 9202100178
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
SMOKERS ARE TAXED TO DEATH
I AM SO sick and tired of hearing certain people put down smokers, I could scream.
They have taxed the smoker to death. If our governor needs more money, then make everyone pay - put taxes on soft drinks, potato chips, candy bars, diet breads and diet foods. These are not a necessity either, and that is what these "mightier than thou" keep yelling.
If I or others wish to damage our health, it's our choice. We have stood back and let these people tell us where and when we can smoke; maybe we smokers should start a movement to tell these people when and where they can drink, how many beers they can buy when out having a good time, and how much liquor they can buy in a week.
If the anti-smokers would start putting all their energy on the government to get the United States back on its feet, this country might rise back to the level it once was on. Give us a break. LINDA SMITH BLUE RIDGE

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB