School Boards Association supports the initiative of taxes on tobacco

Missouri School Boards Association voted to support a plan that will increase the Missouri low-in-the-nation tax on cigarettes from 17 cents per pack to 90 cents starting in January.

MO School Boards Association’s press Brent Hahn said: “We believe that it’s kind of hard argument to make it, we must remain low taxes on tobacco in the country, we are still trying to find new sources of revenue to fund public education and other things that we need here in Missouri.” Office of the State Auditor assesses the increase in tobacco taxes will generate up to more than $ 400 million a year. Half the money will go to public school districts, 30% with higher education and 20% of the effort to prevent people from using tobacco and to help them quit smoking.

Initiative spokeswoman Misty Snodgrass said: “It’s not just health care organizations. It is not only educational institutions. We get a significant number of endorsements from the business community.” Some smokers Jefferson said they were tired of being an easy target, allowing the government to tell them when and where they can smoke and how much they pay in additional taxes. Smoker Lynn Ritter said: “I think it’s outrageous. I wish they would pick on someone else for our taxes.”

Smoke shop owner Jefferson City, said higher taxes on tobacco will not stop people from lighting. We Be smokin’owner Tommy Norman said: “When people are ready to quit, they do. You can not take a pill to stop smoking. You must do this in your mind.” Officials from the Office of the Secretary of State need to know if the supporters submitted enough signatures to qualify the measure for the November ballot sometime in August.

Illinois legislators have recently increased the tax on tobacco products on the dollar. This led to an increase in the national average tax on tobacco from $ 1.46 to $ 1.49. Missouri Association of School Boards reserve potential November ballot initiative asking the voters of Missouri to increase taxes on tobacco products for the benefit of the school.

The union voted Tuesday to support a plan that would raise the Missouri low-in-the-nation tax on cigarettes from 17 cents per pack to 90 cents starting in January. The state auditor’s office estimates the initiative will create between $ 283 million and $ 423 million a year. Fifty percent of the funds will go to the school districts, 30 percent with higher education and 20 percent effort to prevent people from tobacco use and help them to quit it.

Secretary of State office has not yet been determined if the supporters submitted enough signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot.