Smoke more. It's no joke.

I woke this morning to hear on the local news that cigarette prices have gone up thanks to a new federal tobacco tax. On a day where Congress is considering a bill that would expand FDA oversight of tobacco products, simple economics are proving the best anti-smoking campaign: The skyrocketing prices are forcing many smokers to kick the habit.

That's too bad - the cigarette taxes pay for the SCHIP program to extend health insurance to the nation's children. You might say smoking is a civic obligation.

Thank you for smoking...