Prices will go up over time no matter what gov't does. Every product does whether it's drive by unions, government, simple inflation, the price of shipping, and etc. Gov't regs are simply part and parcel of what drives inflation. Could certain gov't lack of action result in lower inflation? Certainly. But, society has spoken and it wants government interference in public lives. And, we, the electorate, encourage such intrusions. So, don't blame the politicians for doing what we elect them to do. They're just trying to hold on to their perqs and power. We smokers somethimes think way too highly of ourselves and take it personal.