Opinion: Writer disagrees with newspaper editorial on cigarette taxes

To the editor,

I must admit my passionate disagreement with The Kentucky Standard’s Friday, Sept. 20 publication of the Sept. 12 Lexington Herald-Leader editorial, “Cigarette tax hike generates benefits.”

ROBERT AUGUSTINE

Specifically in Kentucky, our economy has taken a major downturn because tax increases on tobacco have put many family farms out of business. In addition, when Phillip Morris shut down in 1999, 1400 people were put out of jobs.

These were high paying Union jobs with great benefits. And being located in the west end of Louisville, PM USA employed a great deal of inner-city people and minorities who have since struggled to find a way to replace even half their income.

I’m not just making assumptions. My dad, one of those misplaced workers after 28 years of service, still keeps up with his old friends at Phillip Morris. For most, times have been very difficult and many have never recovered.

The fact is government involvement in taxing a legal product out of existence hurts the economy. So called “revenue” gained from forms of “lifestyle decisions” are quickly negated when all the income once earned by farmers and manufacturers are removed from the economy. This not only includes the income tax revenue of those gainfully employed but also the goods and services purchased by those who know longer have any discretionary income to buy items such as, let’s say, Ford vehicles.

The “benefits” praised by the editorial board have unintended consequences. I’m highly disappointed when anyone, especially an editorial board, celebrates job losses for farmers and manufacturers in Kentucky.

Robert Augustine
Bardstown, KY