How can the government put a tax on cigarettes when heathcare isn't federally funded?

I would understand if the government taxed cigarettes if they provided free healthcare because of the conflict of interest. But what is their reasoning behind the current sin tax? The the government just wants to profit off of peoples addictions? Plus how can the federal government require tobacco companies to discourage youth smoking all the while the tax on cigarettes helps pay for public education?

Since when did government have to justify a tax on something because they needed to pay or not pay for the negative consciences of something?

They tax your income, what is the negative consciences for the government of you getting paid?

EVERYTHING is taxed in the us. isn't that why we broke away from England because they wanted to tax everything!!!! anyway the health care system is swamped by the Mexicans and blacks that go to the ER with out id and fill out with bogus info that's the reason health care is so high!!! i say lets put a bounty on illegals and people that defraud the public systems like the hospitals and we all would benefit!!!!

What law states that cigarette taxes must be used for health care? Or that liquor taxes must be used for the same thing? And where is it written that healthcare is Federally funded? There are a couple of Federally funded programs -- Medicare and Medicaid -- but general healthcare is not Federally funded.

BUT--the federal government does give the states some medicaid money--and most people who need to stay in the hospital for any length of time, wind up on medicaid--at least when their insurance and money runs out.

The government does not want everyone to quit smoking, regardless of what they say, and what laws they make. They get big $$$$$$ from tobacco company taxes--they are hypocrites.

The governments (local/state) hand out some stiff fines, just for money. For instance, where I live a jaywalking ticket is now $190.00--and that's for a first offense.

What most people don't realize is that healthcare IS funded by the government.

What happens when a bum calls 911? An ambulance arrives, he goes to the ER, and they provide minimal treatment (no heart transplants though).

All of that is paid for by the government, and the "sin taxes" you speak of.

What most people want with "government sponsored" healthcare is the ability to have access to a doctor for colds and flu symptoms.

Sin taxes are a very effective way of influencing behavior. Heavily taxing cigarettes reduces the likelihood of someone taking up smoking and gives people an incentive to quit.

It provides tax revenues at the same time. The alternative would be to make it illegal...which would create a whole new class of criminals and put a burden on the penal system with no tax revenues.

Taxation is commonly used to influence people's behavior. Providing tax breaks to encourage behavior or tax penalties to discourage.

The government does not need to justify sin taxes by providing healthcare.

Smoking is a very negative behavior that the government has reason to discourage.