Tagged: tobacco tax

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce board of directors has formally endorsed Proposition B, a measure on the November ballot that would raise in the state’s tobacco sales rate to 90 cents per pack. 

Opponents of a tobacco tax initiative on the Missouri ballot say local governments could lose money if the measure passes.

The proposal would raise the state cigarette tax from 17 cents to 90 cents per pack and also increase taxes on other tobacco products.

Smokers won't be the only ones affected if Missouri voters decide to raise the tobacco tax in November. If Proposition B passes, part of the extra tax proceeds will benefit the MU Medical School.

The medical school is collaborating with CoxHealth and Mercy health systems in Springfield to construct the city’s first clinical campus. CoxHealth Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Sontheimer says the tobacco tax initiative would mean a speedier process for this new clinical campus to become a reality.

Missouri voters will be asked in November to raise the state's tobacco tax and let St. Louis run its own police department.