Missouri Voters Reject Higher Tobacco Taxes reports Cigarette Affiliate

Defeat marks third failed attempt by state to increase tobacco tariffs

California, CA (prHWY.com) November 29, 2012 - San Francisco, CA- Missouri voters shot down a proposition that would have raised state taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products,

maintaining the state's tax rate as the lowest in the nation.

Voters rejected the initiative, known as Proposition B, 51% to 49%, defeating the measure by 42,581 votes. At 17%, Missouri's tax rate is well

below the national average for tobacco taxes. Missourians pay approximately 90 cents per pack, compared to $1.49 nationwide. For example,

residents in nearby Kansas pay 79 cents in state taxes.

This was the third time in 11 years that the initiative appeared on the state's ballot. The tax increase was voted down by narrow margins in

the other attempts as well: 51 to 49 percent in 2002 and 52 to 48 percent in 2006.

Had the proposition passed, an additional 73 cents in state taxes would have been added per pack of cigarettes, which amounts to a 429%

increase.

Lake Saint Louis resident Karen Watson is pleased that the ballot initiative was defeated. "I'm a smoker and I think we're already paying more

than our share," Watson said.

The American Cancer Society, among others, had promoted the tax increase, as a way to encourage smokers to quit and to generate money for

education and health programs. Estimates are that the tax increase would have raised an additional $280 million per year, with 50% earmarked

toward public schools, 30% to Missouri's public universities and colleges, and 20% toward tobacco public prevention programs.

The opposition group, the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, gave credit for the defeat of the proposal to "our

ability to communicate with voters through our convenience-store education program," said spokesman Ron Leone.

The store association mounted a vigorous opposition campaign, and did so while avoiding the mention of cigarettes. Their tactics stressed that

the tax would create a slush fund for state politicians.

Voters in St. Louis and St. Louis County strongly supported the measure, as did those in Kansas City and Boone County, home to the University

of Missouri-Columbia. However, strong support came from the state's more rural counties, enough to defeat the measure.

About Cigarette Affiliate:
cigarette affiliate makes brand-name cigarettes available to retailers for a reduced price.
cigarette affiliate program offers a high commission rate, large selection, and localized payment options. Learn more at the Cigarette Affiliate website.

###

Tag Words: cigarette affiliate

Categories: Business

Link To This Press Release:

URL HTML Code