Proposal to Increase Tobacco Tax on November's Ballot
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Proposal to Increase Tobacco Tax on November's Ballot

Date: October 4, 2012
By: Taylor Beck
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A proposed tobacco tax increase is back on Missouri's ballot in November
RunTime:  0:43
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Prop B calls for a 73 cent tax increase on every pack of cigarettes in Missouri.

The state's cigarette tax is currently the lowest in the country at 17 cents.

Prop B would bring the tax to 90 cents per pack, and some opponents are worried it will lead consumers astray.

Democratic Columbia Representative Chris Kelly disagrees.

Actuality:  KELLY1.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "That argument has no intellectual basis, because the states that have lower that are near us are only a tiny, tiny bit lower."

In 2002 and 2006 similar ballot measures to raise the tobacco tax failed.

This year big tobacco companies are not fighting the proposal as much as they have in years past.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Intro: 
Missourians will vote again whether or not to raise the tobacco tax this November
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Missourians will be paying more for tobacco should Prop B pass in November.

Prop B would increase Missouri's tax to 90 cents per pack of cigarettes.

But St. Louis Republican Senator Jim Lembke says there needs to be reforms on tax credits before Missourians tackle tobacco.

Actuality:  LEMB2.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "We're making decisions in this state, and those decisions are going the way of corporate welfare rather than the promises we keep to fund our public schools."

According to the state auditor revenue from the increased tax would bring in an estimated minimum of 283 million dollars a year.

20 percent of the funds would go to health care, 50 percent to elementary and secondary education and 30 percent to higher education.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.

Intro: 
A proposed tobacco tax increase is back on Missouri's ballot in November
RunTime:  0:49
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Missourians will be paying 90 cents per pack of cigarettes if Prop B passes in Missouri this November.

The revenues from the tax would go toward health care and education.

Opponents of Prop B say they are worried the increased tax will drive tobacco consumers to cheaper border states to buy cigarettes.  

Executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association Ron Leone says the 760 percent tax increase is unfair and devastating.

Actuality:  LEONE4.WAV
Run Time:  00:15
Description: "it will hurt Missouri consumers, it will force small businesses to close, it will cause people to lose their jobs, and it will generate less tax revenue for local and state coffers."

Half of Missouri's border states will have higher tobacco taxes if Prop B passes.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Taylor Beck.