The Editor, Sir:

I suppose cigarette smokers may now be blowing hot air, in view of the proposed taxes rolling in on their habit. Maybe the smoke has cleared and the meaningless tax on books has given way to the realisation that a tax on books would be impractical in view of the non-reading Jamaicans. No real revenue there.

But now, smokers are able to light their way to legal death by burning away the tax on books. If one can afford the habit, I suppose he is able to pay for additional health-care which may logically follow this tax. That would ignite another issue for smokers as well as non-smokers.

Maybe it is a good tax, if it will force smokers into more healthy habits. But we are yet to see whether this tax will last or cause a puff; whether it will hold, or go up in smoke.

I am, etc.,

HOMER SYLVESTER

homersylvester@hotmail.com

Miami, Florida