The others are hooked and they will continue to buy cigarettes. As 83-year-old Gloria Egger of Denver told CNN when the federal tax hike went into effect earlier this year: "As old as I am, I'm not going to quit smoking, regardless what they do."

Some argue that cigarette taxes unfairly impact the poor. If demographics are to be believed, that is probably true, although there are smokers in every strata of society.

My only hesitation about any sin tax is that states become dependent on people continuing to smoke, drink, gamble, what have you. Some say it's dirty money.

No one has to smoke, drink, gamble or, for that matter, buy soft drinks, which have no redeeming nutritional value. The truth is, we all pay for our bad habits one way or another. The legislative branch of government sees to it that some of us pay more out of pocket for our vices than others.

For all of the sound reasons to increase Utah's tobacco tax, any proposal may fall to the wayside because of politics. Who wants to be the gubernatorial, congressional or legislative candidate who led the charge to raise taxes during an economic downturn? Who wants that monkey on his or her back while facing a tough convention fight? GOP convention delegates lean harder to the right than mainstream Utahns, so it's an inescapable political consideration.

Still, it's a pathetic rationale to stand pat, particularly in a place that prides itself on being one of the healthiest places in the nation.

Marjorie Cortez, who would lead the revolt if lawmakers attached a special tax to chewing gum, another product with, admittedly, no nutritional value, is a Deseret News editorial writer.

E-mail her at marjorie@desnews.com.