According to
Tax Foundation, the taxes on tobacco have shown the fastest increase in taxes on any product since 2000. Recent Census data shows that between 2000 and 2005 the taxes on tobacco products have risen a staggering fifty five percent, as opposed to much smaller increases on other products such as alcoholic beverages, gasoline, etc. This is consistent with the recent trend of raising revenue through means that are "politically feasible." Raising taxes on tobacco is politically easy because the tax revenue benefits all taxpayers but only a minority of people must pay the tax.