State governments get abusive with tobacco tax because it slides in a revenue source with a group that doesn't vote as a block. I think it is rarely a moral judgement. Some of the state legislators smoke, but it's a way to get money without getting voted out of office. I happen to live in a state that was built on tobacco growing revenue, so there is a distinct if fading respect for the product. State legislators, especially the ones who represent you, are one pressure point to write, phone or email. As we see with Syria, revolution doesn't usually enhance the availability of tobacco products and usually causes the death of famers, consumers, retailers, and their families and children, hence doesn't help.