Here's the response I got when I wrote to my senator about taxing cigars...
Thank you for contacting me regarding tobacco use. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.
The federal tax rate on cigarettes remained unchanged at eight cents per pack from 1951 to 1982. Since 1982, the rate has been increased several times, and the current federal tax on cigarettes is 39 cents per pack.
According to U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention, an alarming 4.5 million minors currently use tobacco in this country. The cost of cigarettes is of limited importance as a factor for dissuading young people from smoking. The reality is that many of these young people, if they continue, will suffer from debilitating and deadly diseases as a result of tobacco use. Therefore, I believe it is important for Congress to encourage states and local governments in their efforts to stop underage smoking and other tobacco use.
We can limit youth access to cigarettes through enforcement of federal and state laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors. The Justice Department has provided states with the necessary funds to conduct compliance checks and enforce their minimum age-of-sale laws, which prohibit underage tobacco sales and require retailers to check photo identification to verify age. The tobacco industry has also sponsored voluntary education campaigns to prevent minors from smoking and to encourage retailers to comply with youth access laws. Should legislation concerning new taxes or other regulations on tobacco be considered by the full Senate, you may be certain I will keep your views in mind.
I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.
Funny thing is I never mentioned anything about cigarettes. It looks like generic responses are the way to go.