Elected officials, from President Clinton on down, are pondering an increase in cigarette taxes. Such taxes would be doubly welcome. Any increase is likely to discourage smoking. And the money raised from those who won't quit can help pay for vital services.

Because smoking is declining, cigarette taxes will raise less money now than they might have a few years ago. But that is no reason to give up on this "sin tax." The health gains alone are worth the price. The American Lung Association says every 10 percent rise in the cost of cigarettes cuts smoking by 4 percent. Young people may never start smoking if the cost is high.There is a danger that higher state taxes will cause an increase in bootlegging, with people bringing cigarettes from states with lower taxes to states with higher taxes. But in New York, budget officials say they've factored that into their forecasts. And bootlegging might lose its appeal if Washington raised cigarette taxes substantially nationwide.

The tobacco industry says cigarette taxes will fall mostly on blue-collar workers and the poor. But no matter what their income, those who stop smoking will be better off.

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