Gov. Beverly Perdue says drinking and smoking are voluntary.

At a presentation on her proposed budget this morning, Perdue said she decided to include increases in taxes on tobacco and alcohol in order to avoid more broad-based taxes.

"I just one night, thinking about it all, made the decision... that I was not going to do anything that further diminished the income of a citizen in North Carolina," she said.

But she said products such as cigarettes and beer are "discretionary."

"Those of us who choose to use those two products can afford to suck up," she said.

She said she would be "very reluctant" to increase corporate, personal income or sales tax right now, though she respects the power of the legislature "to do what they may."

"I would believe they're hearing the same conversations I'm hearing," she said.