Up in smoke

By William R. Toler

A famous phrase frequented by President Barack H. Obama has already proved him a liar…or at least a misleader.

The president’s oft said statement of no tax increases for families making less than $200,000 has a loophole…for smokers.

The federal cigarette tax was raised from 39 cents to $1.01 per pack and will go into full effect on April 1. The nearly triple-sized tax comes as a result of the passing of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorazation Act and funds an expansion of  health care for children of low-income families, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.