Missouri ballot initiative would increase tobacco tax rates, poll finds voter support

[Bill Godshall]

Missouri Proposition B tobacco Tax (to be voted on in MO next week) would increase cigarette tax by $.73/pack (from $.17 to $.90), increase RYO tax by 25% of manufacturer's price (from 10% to 35%), and increase tax on OTP by 15% of manufacturer's price (from 10% to 25%).
SOS, Missouri - Elections: 2012 Approved Initiative Petitions (text of proposed statute)

Prop B will retain the current MO tax code's definition of "tobacco product," which could possibly be interpreted (e.g. by the Governor or Secretary of Revenue) as applying to e-cigarettes, but that hasn't happened yet, and hopefully won't regardless of Prop B's outcome.

(17) [(16)] "tobacco product", cigarettes, cigarette papers, clove cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, smoking tobacco, or other form of tobacco products or products made with tobacco substitute containing nicotine;

Prop B redefines "smokeless tobacco" to include new dissolvable smokefree tobacco products.

(14) [(13)] "Smokeless tobacco", chewing tobacco, including, but not limited to, twist, moist plug, loose leaf and firm plug, [and] all types of snuff, including, but not limited to, moist and dry, and any other product containing tobacco intended or expected to be consumed without being combusted;

Ballot Preview: Proposition B Tobacco Tax (what MO voters will see about Prop B)
ShelleyKeeney.com - Home - Ballot Preview: Cigarette Tax (Proposition.B)


Poll suggests voters likely to raise Missouri cigarette tax
Poll suggests voters likely to raise Missouri cigarette taxes - KansasCity.com

Voters asked to raise Missouri cigarette tax, now lowest in U.S.
Voters asked to raise Missouri cigarette tax, now lowest in U.S. - KansasCity.com#


In an ironic twist, Springfield (MO) Chamber of Commerce endorses tobacco tax hike (Prop B), while Missouri Right to Life opposes is opposed.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20121018/NEWS01/310180080?
http://www.missourilifepac.org/2012/2012-tobacco_tax_initiative.pdf

 

[BoiseMike]

I think there's something inherently wrong with letting people vote to raise a tax that they won't have to pay.

 

[thew92]

So in ur opinion Bill does this include Nic-Liquid or Ecigs? If so how would they tax or define a "unit"

 

[Bill Godshall]

Missouri cigarette tax to remain nation's lowest at $.17/pack, as voters reject Proposition B by 42,000 votes.
http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=725172
Missouri tobacco tax to remain nation's lowest | ksdk.com
Missouri keeps tobacco tax as the lowest in the nation : Stltoday

 

[NICnurse]

I did my part to vote no on this yesterday!! This is the third time they have had this on the ballot in the last 10 years. The addendum of any type of consumable tobacco product had me a little worried about the ramifications of this passing. Glad we dodged the bullet here again.

Also.....in a world where we preach the nonsmoking angle to kids, how twisted is it that the increased tax dollars from this bill were to be funneled into education......

 

[scalewiz]

Thanks for your vote NICnurse. I joined with my vote also. Looking at the actual vote count it almost went the other way, though. Unless e-cigarettes are viewed differently, the next time around we might not be so lucky.

And, as you stated, tying education funding to tax dollars on something that is so hated is nothing short of total insanity. Makes you wonder what we have for parents nowadays.