Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for May 26, 2021

You can write it off as a business expense.

He can’t afford cable. He’s spending that money (and more) on cigarettes.

Tobacco companies, those poor purveyors of death. They have it so hard.

When I quit, (took 6 attempts) a carton of smokes were $6 and change and big tobacco was lying it’s ass off in Congress. Now I’ve got COPD.

Tobacco products should be illegal, but their lobbyists have paid a lot of money to Congress keep it legal and people addicted. Then, if made illegal, the addicted would have a fit about it. The fuss about masks wouldn’t make a ripple in comparison. Some of the people, evidently, don’t want to be healthy.

I remember my folks who smoked back then, disbelieving the science about the connections between smoking and cancers. Their biggest argument was that the conclusion reached by the scientists was that it was just their opinion. Example, “what do they know, it’s just their opinion”.

It’s always dramatic seeing a cigarette get crushed. Of course that’s what happens to most butts.

He forgot the “makes me smell like a pile of fetid garbage” part. Probably just wasnt room in the panel.

I come from a family of 3 pack a day Mom and Dad smokers… Back in the 60’s my parents switched from Raleigh to home rolled cigarettes .. Every few weeks a guy came around selling tobacco and papers and you used a rolling machine that made 2 filtered cigarettes at a time.. We kids sat there nights watching TV and rolling cigarettes for Mom and Dads next day smoking.. Myself I never smoked. lol

Tobacco companies do hate being held somewhat accountable for the damage they cause…

You may have to cut back a bit on the smokes so you can afford to buy gas for the truck.

Well, at least they’ll take care of the “ashes to ashes” part…

As what happens with every windfall, politicians began using it for their pet projects (bribe/kickback projects) even before they had it in hand, instead of for treating smoking diseases.

Sam Clemens was right. There is no distinctly American criminal class other than Congress.

A “Pack a Day” smoker in Florida spends $186 per month on Ciggies.

In New York, (the most expensive state) that goes up to $314 / Month.

Rhode Island is $304.50 / month and Connecticut comes in at $300 / Month even.

Peer Pressure Strikes Again!