Many of our politicians appear to be playing an interesting game, along with others, with those who smoke (Incidentally, I do not smoke -- except for a rare cigar.). Fact is, however, if they will play this game with smokers and tobacco companies, rest assured they would play it with the rest of us as well.

What is this game? Perhaps it might be called, "Don't Stop; Just Pay."

Personally, I do not like the smell of cigarette smoke. When I enter a restaurant to eat, the last thing I want to smell is cigarette smoke. A lot of other people feel the same way. Consequently, jumping on the anti-smoking bandwagon may be an easy thing to do.

I also do not want smoking in my house, or for that matter within range of my nose! My sinuses will not tolerate smoke. Also, I am fully aware of the health hazards caused by smoking.

Having said that, however, if the goal of the anti-smoking crowd is to reduce or eliminate smoking, why do they not make smoking illegal? Instead, they push for something else -- raising taxes on tobacco.

That reveals the true motive behind the organized effort to "reduce" the use of tobacco. The real motive: Money.

The anti-smoking establishment does not really want smokers to stop, they really want them to pay more for their habit.

More than a dozen states are considering higher tobacco taxes this year. The reason they are is to help fund millions of uninsured people getting health coverage -- so they say.

Since 2002, 42 states have increased taxes on tobacco. The average state cigarette tax per pack has risen from 43 cents in 2001 to $1 in 2007.

The increased taxes appear to be having an impact upon the tobacco industry. I have read reports that state that tobacco sales have dropped 15 percent in the U.S.

The anti-smoking crowd had better hope that everyone does not stop smoking. For that matter, so had the rest of us. What happens, for example, if everyone does stop smoking?

All the tax money that is now being used, or that is supposed to be used, to fund health care for those without insurance from cigarette taxes -- where will it come from then?

Look out! Big Macs. You may be next.

Jack Rollins is the managing editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.