🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <27763@sybase.sybase.com>, joe@sybase.com (Joseph Weinstein) writes:
|> Dean Edell on KGO revealed some data about canadian tobacco consumption, where
|> taxation raised the cost of cigarettes to about $3 a pack. The data show that
|> prior to the tax increase, per capita consumption was equal to the U.S. In the
|> few years since the taxation the consumption rate has dropped by 30%.
|> 
|> --
|> Joe Weinstein   joe@sybase.com   Sybase 1650 65th st.  Emeryville Ca 94608
|> 
|> NOT A DISCLAIMER!   THIS IS THE OFFICIAL OPINION OF AN IMPORTANT CORPORATE
|>                     ENTITY (NOT SYBASE).     FOR COMPLETE DETAILS SEND $10

This is not proof!  This is correlation.  Have _all_ other variables remained
constant during the study?  For example, were the subjects of the study 
exposed to other pressures to quit, such as adverse health information, 
inability to smoke in certain environments, etc?

Since 1900 in the US, personal income tax has increased dramatically
(from 0% to currently 28% or thereabouts).  The standard of living has
also increased.  Does this prove that increasing personal income tax
causes an increase in the standard of living? If so, we should all lobby
for increased taxes! 

-Mike Dedek