2000
Pack of cigarettes: $3.30
gallon of gas: ~$1.50
2010
pack of cigarettes: $7.00
gallon of gas: $2.55
In 2000 a pack of cigarettes cost only $1.80 more than a gallon of gas. Today, a pack of cigarettes costs over $4.00 more than a gallon of gas. Why the big jump? Taxes pay a large role in determining the cost of cigarettes. Gasoline is also taxed. BUT, at a much lower rate than cigarettes. Proponents of the cigarette tax say that the health hazards of smoking are proven and documented, thus justifying the high taxes. Using the same knowledge, climate change scientists also state that the environmental hazards of carbon dioxide emitting vehicles is also proven and documented. Perhaps it’s time to consider taxing gasoline in the same manner that we tax cigarettes, as a environmental and health hazard.
Philawriter 
Gasoline is taxed already. Te difference is that gasoline is almost a “necessity” , a means to get to work for the vast majority. But cigarettes are definitely not a necessity.
I am in favor of INCREASING the gas tax, as a means to encourage even more the use of gas efficient or alternative transportation. The USA currently taxes at a much lower rate than Canada, and Europe.