I am a cigarette smoker who has tried to quit without success for many years. If one were to calculate the amount of tax I have paid the state of Maine over the last 45 years, it would boggle the mind. Shame on me, and shame on everyone who has benefited financially from my addiction all this time, including the tax collector. One hopes your tax will keep some kid from lighting up.

Just a quick question for the financial wizards trying to balance our budget: If you drive the price of a product up with the intention of reducing sales, isn’t that banking on a revenue shortfall?

Also I will gladly give you a $3.00 per pack tax increase if you want it in return for the following: an extra 10-cent tax on every nonemergency cell phone call or text message and a $200 fine for making a nonemergency cell phone call while driving, doubled if there are children under 18 in the vehicle and double it again for repeat offences. Let’s share the tax burden by going after other nasty addictions, too.

Gerry Bosse

Levant