Yesterday, the never-ending controversy I’ve dubbed the “War Against Tobacco” made headlines when the state of New York began charging smokers an additional $1.25 per pack of cigarettes, bringing the total tax to a whopping $2.50. While I don’t smoke and have never been a smoker, I find the arguments on both sides compelling and even see a commercially-available solution that stands poised and ready to bring about an end to the war.

First, some background on the opposing sides in this war:

• Those in favor of the hike in the “sin tax” say they believe it will serve as a deterrent to people taking up the smoking habit or, at a minimum, cause people to want to smoke less for purely financial reasons. They’re the same people behind legislation creating smoke-free zones in cities around the world.

• Those on the receiving end of the tax hike don’t believe the measure will accomplish its goals and are blowing more than just smoke in the direction of legislators and other government officials responsible for the highest cigarette-related tax in the nation. Their sentiments were captured in two recent articles — Cigarette Tax Questioned and Higher tax burns up smokers — published in Empire State newspaper.

So what’s a smoker in New York — or anywhere else, for that matter — to do when confronted time and again by ever-increasing taxes on tobacco-related products and by ever-increasing restrictions on where he can enjoy a smoke? I recommend he turn to electronic cigarettes, cigars and pipes, since they offer a number of distinct features and benefits that should satisfy the less-taxing — pun intended — requirements on both sides of the “second-hand smoke will kill you” argument. For instance:

• Electronic cigarette products emit only a harmless vapor that simulates smoke yet satisfies the nicotine urges and cravings;

• They are not offensive and can be enjoyed anywhere smoking is prohibited;

• They can transform traditionally smoke-filled environments (i.e., casinos, bowling alleys, pool halls, bars and restaurants) into smoke-free environments that can be enjoyed by smokers and non-smokers alike;

• They come with a rechargeable battery that provides for endless hours of smoking pleasure;

• They feature a sophisticated design with a sleek art deco look and feel; and, perhaps best of all,

• They leave none of the residue and odors that accompany traditional cigarettes on clothing and other surfaces.

Again, I’m not a smoker, but I am against taxing Americans into oblivion. If more people converted to the electronic cigarettes, cigars and pipes, perhaps we can lull tax-happy legislators like those in New York into submission when it comes to their war on “everything tobacco.”* * *

Note: In case you’re wondering, at the time the post above was published, I had no financial interest in Crown 7. As my interest in electronic cigarettes grows, that might change.