In the last two weeks, I have been distressed to see that Big Tobacco and their allies at gasoline stations/convenience stores are conspiring to mislead the public once again on important matters of health. Don’t be fooled! Amendment 3 offers a much-needed proposal to enhance health care access for low-income Missourians and establish meaningful anti-smoking programs.
So what does Amendment 3 really do? – increase the state cigarette tax from 17 cents to 97 cents, or an increase of 80 cents, placing Missouri’s tax at less than the national average of $1 per pack. Missouri’s tax would remain below the Illinois tax of 98 cents.
This tax would generate $351 million in new revenue, of which $290 million would be spent to provide health care for low-income Missourians and the remaining $61 million would be used for anti-smoking programs. The only people paying any additional tax as a result of Amendment 3 will be those who choose to buy tobacco products.
As a pediatrician, I work to prevent kids from smoking and help those who do smoke stop before they face the horrible consequences of tobacco use. I urge my fellow citizens to get the facts on Amendment 3.
Katie Plax MD
Washington University School of Medicine