Georgia taxpayers spend over

$400 million per year treating uninsured tobacco related disease. As a

Republican, I may oppose most taxes, but I support personal responsibility,

and I think it's time for smokers to pay their fair share.

If there is such a thing as

a good tax, the tobacco user tax being proposed by the American Cancer

Society and other health organizations is it. Studies show that the most

effective way to keep kids from smoking is by raising the price. The proposed

75-cent increase could also generate over $500 million per year in new

revenue for our troubled state economy.

When you consider that Medicaid

is spending over $400 million per year treating tobacco-related disease

in Georgia, it seals the deal. Protecting kids, generating new revenue,

and saving millions more: Sounds like a triple win to me.

Stephen Ott

Fayetteville