Hazards of high taxes on tobacco

he wise minister of a Mauryan king had advised that since all undertakings depend on finance, the king should pay foremost attention to the treasury. The efficacy of this advice has not changed. Even today, governments make sincere efforts to collect the required tax revenue from people. Often, the need and anxiety to collect more revenue makes it difficult to maintain the right balance among different considerations which, at times, are mutually conflicting. Taxation of tobacco products is an example where this delicate balance gets disturbed. It is an accepted fact that tobacco products are injurious to health. But the economic factors are among the least important reasons for reduction of addiction to this harmful product.