The buy cheap camel tax was raised a few years ago by 25 cents per pack to be used specifically towards fighting tobacco use. Everyone in the Legislature fell over themselves to say all of the money was to be used for anti-smoking efforts. The first year the tax was implemented, not all of the money went to anti-smoking efforts, some was already being diverted to other causes. As noted above, it's still not being used as intended. Now the Legislature wants a new tax $1 per pack tax that is expected to raise $150 million in new revenue. They say they need it to pay for the new Health Care costs. I haven't seen any analysis of the actual cost overruns, just a "raise it by a buck" attitude. Of course, it is "for the children." It's always "for the children." Did I mention another 25 cent cigarette tax increase was also implemented to pay for the health care of, you guessed it, "for the children." A noble and worthwhile cause to be sure. However, you never see any accounting of that money. Is it all going to health care "for the children," or it also being diverted for, I am sure, "other worthwhile causes." I don't think we'll ever know.