Unfortunately, as with most things, there really is no easy solution. Simply levying more tax on these companies would do little to ameliorate the situation; instead, the financial burden would likely be shifted back on to the consumer with increased prices. This might appear a panacea: high prices will drive demand down, fewer people will smoke. However, smoking is an addiction, and people will always find a way to sustain their addictions. Instead, people will face greater financial burden, which is particularly deleterious when one considers that the tobacco industry has a history of targeting those in lower economic classes and minority groups.
Moreover, I think you would be surprised at the opposition a government would face (at least in the UK) if they tried to significantly increase taxes on tobacco. Any drastic moves would likely be seen as heavy-handed and anti-libertarian; at least in the UK, staunchest opposition would probably come from working class, swing-vote constituencies up north, whereby the government would have little to gain in risking vexing any voters.
04-May-2022 23:16:52
