Cigarette tax measure

On Tuesday, Missourians have the opportunity to vote for an increase in the cigarette tax. Although most do not smoke, Missourians must pay about $1.7 billion per year in health-care costs for treatment of illnesses caused by smoking.

One of the best ways to reduce the numbers of people smoking — especially our children — is to increase the price of cigarettes.

Missouri is one of only eight states that have not raised cigarette taxes since 2000. We now have the second-lowest cigarette tax in the nation.

About $61 million of the money raised by this tax would be spent on smoking cessation and prevention programs. Missouri now spends very little on smoking cessation and prevention efforts. Not surprisingly, the state has one of the highest rates of adult and teen smoking in the country.

Given the latest U.S. surgeon general report showing the harm that secondhand smoke causes, it seems only fair that those who smoke should pay more taxes for the medical treatment caused by smoking.

If you do not smoke or use tobacco products, you will not be paying higher taxes by voting for Amendment 3.

Steve Roling
President and CEO
Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Kansas City

I am a nonsmoker. I never have and never will smoke.

However, I think that a 470 percent tax increase on smoking products is downright sinful and discriminating. They say 4 cents more a cigarette. Well, do the math. That’s 80 cents a pack and $8 a carton.

Adult smokers in Missouri already contribute more than their fair share, with more than $100 million in annual tax revenue. If they are trying to break the tobacco companies and lose all that tax, where do you think they will get the tax money to make up for it? It will come from all of us.

Don’t let the ads mislead you. Vote no on Amendment 3.

Lucille Bushnell
Warsaw, Mo.

Comments

[CRD]

Yes, cigarette smoking is a civil rights issue. Martin Luther King would be proud of you, Jungle.

[JUNGLEJACK]

CRD - would you also be in favor of legalizing gay marriage under the following conditions:

Gay marriage licences would cost 500% more than their straight counterparts.

Proceeds from this tax would go to evangelical churches to preach against homosexuality.

Gay couples would not be allowed in any public place where they may offend or otherwise upset the straight majority (bars, movies, restaurants etc.)

BTW - isn't raising taxes on a group by using the slogan "since we don't smoke, we don't pay" a form of taxation without representation?
Maybe only smokers should be allowed to o.k. cigarette taxes.

[GCYL]

“Or if a flock of seagulls is flying overhead.” - CRD

Very true. Located in the Midwest maybe we should change that to a gaggle of geese? Especially considering the size of the tax increase.

[CRD]

Or if a flock of seagulls is flying overhead.

[GCYL]

“If Medicaid gets better funding as a result, then great.” - CRD

As with the use of gambling revenue, that’s a real big if. I can understand why some people will not vote for this Amendment based on that if.

Unfortunately for jack the tax increase is directed at a specific product, being paid by a specific minority. The only suggestion I can give jack is don’t look up while it’s raining.

[CRD]

[shrug]

I think it'll reduce smoking rates and thereby reduce health costs in Missouri. That's why I'm voting for it.

If Medicaid gets better funding as a result, then great.

[jack]

crd: If the State takes someone's money, it is a tax.

If the REAL purpose is to pay for the damage caused by smoking, then the State should be spending the money there. The technical term for anything else is "lieing".

They aren't trying to curb smoking. They are raising money to support the medicaid that the non-smokers want but aren't willing to pay for.

This is a classic version of urinating down someone's neck and telling them it is raining.

If the MAJORITY of Missourians want an expansion of Medicaid, why aren't those same people willing to PAY for it?

[CRD]

It's not "raising the hell out of anyone's taxes" -- it's a commodity tax on cigarettes, with provisions to ensure that the revenues go to fund smoking cessation efforts targeted, in particular, towards youths.

Missouri currently has the second lowest level of taxes on tobacco in the nation, and the third highest smoking rate. This is not a coincidence.

[jack]

Definition of hypocrisy: Claiming to be the great tax cutting crowd. Then raising the hell out of someone's taxes and saying it is for their own good.

If the average person in Missouri is to cheap to pay for medicaid, they should admit it and shut it down. Not claim they are doing a minority group a "favor" by stealing from them.