I would guess its because of all teh health issue. While most of us have insurance the gov foots the bill for ALOT of people that dont. Birth defects, cancers, and other healt problems related to smoking (that were not known back in the day) are very expensive.

 

If the expensive tax was strictly because of the health expense why don't they just ban tobacco? Should they ask for your insurance card when you buy a pack of smokes? The heavy tax is simply because the government is the biggest drug dealer in America. They bring in a lot of money off peoples vices.

I do believe that tobacco users need to show more consideration to none users. Use your ash tray, don't spit dip all over the place, don't smoke right at the door to a building and don't throw butts on the ground. I believe these are some of the main reasons most people get mad with tobacco users. I also believe non tobacco users have to use some restraint. There is no need to cross the street when a smoker is being courteous buy staying away from people who don't smoke to get on there case or to get on someone for smoking in there yard.