Proposition 86

California will be addressing big tabacco this fall in its state vote on Proposition 86. The innitiative proposes to add large taxes on all tobacco products which would nearly double the current prices for cigarettes et al. As a casual smoker, I think this is a brilliant move. It's a habbit that quite simply kills thousands of people a year, and anything that deters this trend in my mind is a positive thing. Clearly there's a huge opposing force, a la big tobacco, and the No On Proposition 86 campaign is sure to be massive, efficient and well-tailored to champion its cause.

Comments

[Terby]

I smoke everyday. It's pretty gross sometimes. I think smoking should be discouraged, particularly for children. I support 86 if it will help young people smoke less. Hopefully I'll start to smoke less too, because I don't have that much money and I don't know if I can justify spending much more money on an unhealthy habit. Dubliners and New Yorkers have been paying like $7 a pack for years. Cigarettes are cheap all over Asia, even in otherwise expensive cities like Tokyo. Drinking is another habit that can start to get expensive. However, I don't think an alcohol tax could ever get passed in California.

[Kristen Coogan]

I looked at the 'No on Prop 86' website and watched to two commericals. Propaganda as an institution is really interesting. This idea of manipulative communication (verbal & visual) dates back to centuries ago, and has had a lasting effect on how we are provided with and receive information. I think this post relates to your 'objectivty & subjectivity' post because it begs the question at what point is communication convincing...or subjective? (or not objective)

[Gundi]

http://www.martin-adler.org/TI/News/DasHBMaennchenCholeriker.htm

at the end of the story it says:“weiter zum zweiten spot” which means “second spot“.