Cigarette tax increase needed in Missouri
Lewis DiuguidNo smoker enjoys seeing more young people getting hooked on tobacco.
Many wish they had never gotten started and think of the money they could have saved if they didn’t smoke.
That’s why a lot of people in November will support Missouri’s move to raise its cigarette tax from 17 cents, the lowest in the nation, to 90 cents. That’s still low compared with other states, however, the move is a start.
The national average is $1.49 a pack. The added cost in the Show Me State may deter some teens from starting to smoke at all.
Everyone in the state can take that to the bank in lower health care costs, increased longevity and higher productivity.
Edward Griffin
7 months, 2 weeks agoAm I to gather that we as citizens are to trust the legislators of the state of Missouri with a new form of revenue? Aren’t these the same people who wasted and squandered the money that was from the tobacco settlement that was to used for smoking cessation and other health related uses? Who in their right mind thinks that once the money is in their greedy hands that the rules won’t be changed by them, just like the petition regarding animal cruelty that the corporate farmers didn’t like so they took all the penalties out and replaced them with token warnings. I’m all for quitting smoking, being an ex-smoker myself. But to turn over a large amount of money to these theives is insane to say the least. That’s why I’m voting no on this amendment. If a way can be done to keep the state government away from the money, they will have my whole-hearted support. Until then, NO WAY!
Joe Phelan
7 months, 2 weeks agoThere once was a legislator who didn’t know what to do.
Cut the state budget, he hadn’t a clue.
More money was needed, to erase all this gloom.
We have to raise taxes, but on what, and on whom?
So he pondered so much, that his head did swell.
How to raise money, without dipping his well.
Then it came to him in such a rush and a fury.
It would cost him not, so who was to worry?
Cigarettes! Cigarettes! Tax them away!
It’s those smokers! Smokers that should pay!
Smokers! Smokers! They’re a disagreeable lot.
Smoking is something of which they should not!
The smokers did rise. They won’t repent.
Why on our backs should your money be spent!
It’s sugar! Sugar! That they should tax.
For overeaters, their discipline is lax!
Alas cried the heavy, our weight is not a fault.
It’s coffee! Coffee! Will throw open the vault!
All that caffeine is what we should halt.
They say in Seattle, it’s a dollar a cup.
It’s them, not us, who should ante up!
Whoa they say, don’t blame our brew.
That cast the state in such a spending stew!
It’s printers! Printers! We should tax.
Think of the trees we’ll save from the axe!
With Kindle, iPads and such.
Newspapers, books, I think not much!
With all the uproar the legislator did smile.
He was quite pleased with his wit and his guile!
Think of the money to come this November.
And of the schools of which he won’t render!
Tax away! Tax away! Tax the lot!
As long as I get to keep what I got!
Joe Phelan
7 months, 2 weeks ago“Many wish they had never gotten started and think of the money they could have saved if they didn’t smoke.”.. So the state should save it for them?
He also said”..ill support Missouri’s move to raise its cigarette tax from 17 cents, the lowest in the nation, to 90 cents. That’s still low compared with other states, however, the move is a start.”…Now we are upset about LOW taxes?
Mr. Duiguid apparently never smoked..wonder where he invested that vast savings..contibuted it to the goverment no doubt!
Artjoms Stupels
7 months, 2 weeks agoWhy only non-smokers comment? :) Smokers, you can always buy cigarettes online and don’t worry about tax increase. Search in google or buy from lowcostcigarettesus.com
Joe Phelan
7 months, 2 weeks agoNice of you offer an alternative way to save money instead of the obvious. Non-smokers don’t have to to pay, so who cares, tax away ,’We don’t like it anyways’ is really their mantra.
It’s just an excuse to say what good will the money will go to.
If they, supporters of this bill, really want smoking cessation they would lobby for some of the 100’s of million dollars the state collects from the Tobacco Settlement Fund and taxes to make available Free smoking cessation drugs, instead of merely providing lip service, and regressive taxes.