Can Obama up tobacco taxes to pay for healthcare of smokers like Obama and reduce Medicare and Veteran costs?

Obama smokes. Smoking causes cancer and is the largest risk factor causing heart disease. Those are proven facts. 80 cents of every health care dollar spent in Medicare and for Veterans goes to cardiovascular and lung problems caused by or worsened by smoking.



Wouldn't increasing taxes on the lucrative tobacco industry (and retraining the workers to other crops and manufacturing) benefit the nation's health?



Shouldn't Obama stop smoking? We need a healthy president who sets a good example for Americans especially children, don't wek?Can Obama up tobacco taxes to pay for healthcare of smokers like Obama and reduce Medicare and Veteran costs?
You are making sense and we just can not have that. If you continue someone from the white house will come and take your exercise bike or something. However the president doesn't really raise taxes it is the congress. So look out for someone from congress, like one from a tobacco growing state.
Obama can't do anything with taxes. Taxes are set by Congress, who act on behalf of the people who elected them.



If you want cigarette taxes raised again, take it up with your state reps. They're the ones who have the ability to push for it.



Good luck!



(And yes, I hope Obama stops smoking, for the sake of his two little girls, who deserve to have their Dad around for a long time.)Can Obama up tobacco taxes to pay for healthcare of smokers like Obama and reduce Medicare and Veteran costs?
No Obama cannot raise taxes to pay for healthcare, or anything else. No President can raise taxes. Only Congress can raise federal taxes.



Yes, Obama should stop smoking.
Then we can tax the sugared water aka soft drinks, then the candy companies for making sweetas that promote cavities. Then we can tax alcohol some more. Then we can tax fast foods for causing obesety.



Then we can tax Sport Cars and SUV owners - as a luxury tax..



OO, we can raise fuel tax or tax citizens for mileage excess - its like 12-15k miles per year who knows...Can Obama up tobacco taxes to pay for healthcare of smokers like Obama and reduce Medicare and Veteran costs?
Obama isn't the Emperor. He has no power to levy taxes. That's for Congress.
Obama can't raise or lower taxes. Congress can.