I’m writing in response to the April 5-6 editorial “Cigarette tax math.” I think the taxation of cigarettes is getting a little extreme. I know many people who smoke, some want to quit and some never will. It’s unfair that the state is forcing people to quit.

A lot of smokers work $8-an-hour jobs, and likely smoke a pack a day. The state sees that smokers need the cigarettes because they are addicted. People can’t afford the smoking aids that are offered because they are ridiculously priced, and many people can’t quit cold turkey. The state sees this opportunity for revenue, and in turn is basically treating smokers like second-class citizens by expecting them to bear a big part of the tax burden.

I don’t see that it will deter teens from smoking. Many kids spend their lunch money on cigarettes, and even if they can’t afford a pack of Marlboros or Camels, they can either get a pack of little cigars for about $1, or get chewing tobacco for a couple dollars more. I know this because I’m a high school senior who deals with these kids every day.

The state should stop spending our tax dollars stupidly, such as the $85 million Penobscot Narrows Bridge with an unnecessary observation tower. If we worried more about what we’re spending our money on, then we wouldn’t have to treat smokers like they’re less than equal.

Christopher J. Roskom

Orland