> > > The official position is that high taxation encorages people go give up smoking and drinking, but as this effect has not been seen in the last 70 years implies that it's probably a false belief.
> >
> > High prices might encourage people not to *start* smoking, though. Especially kids, who would be less likely to afford high prices. I don't know the research on this, but that's what I always thought was one reason behind it.
>
> Personally, I think if the Government wants to discourage people from smoking, they should make it illegal. The current position of "We don't want people to smoke, but we still want to collect tobbacco tax" just stikes me as hypocritical.

Personally, I think it's none of the government's business whether or not I smoke.

Stephen