http://www.newsmax.com/lowell_ponte/cigarette_tobacco_tax/2009/06/12/224493.html
I don't believe nicotine is the real problem at this time. There are all kinds of other substances that won't let the smoker go.
You can get a really impressive version of e-cigarettes that look and operate just like a real cigarette, that only delivers nicotine and a water vapor, no tobacco product whatsoever, and that simply does not satisfy the smoker.
I had thought maybe the nicotine patches weren't working for a lot of smokers because they crave the hand to mouth, and inhaling part of the smoking experience... but the e-cigs take care of that, and still the smoker doesn't get what his body is craving until he smokes the real deal.
All along, regulation could have prevented tobacco companies from loading up the cigs with additives, but they didn't... So I guess their ultimate goal is to put smokers in such a bind that they will require lots of expensive intervention from other sources, and I'm sure those pockets are wide open for the flow of dollars.
And the funny part of all this, is that Obama can't kick the habit either. But you can bet he won't be deprived.