More Tax On Sodas And Beers?

I read an article recently about how our politicians want to add taxes on beer, sodas, and cigarettes.  These things are bad for your health so we need to tax them more to curb their use?  Why not simply ban these iems if they are a plague on society?  Could it be that these items make the State TONS of money so they are untouchable?  We tolerate them because they are so easily taxed and consumption will continue?

Conversely then, should we not eliminate taxes on fruits and veggies, as well as necessay medicine? 

Our lawmakers say they have a budget deficit but oddly, cutting spending doesn't seem to be an option.  As I understand it, our deficit is fabricated as the State simply wants to spend about a billion more than last year so they call it a budget deficit and justify it as a reason to raise taxes once again.  Never mind that the city is about to bankrupt the Oahu residents with the rail and sewer repairs.