Supporters of Tobacco Tax Initiative Receive Positive News

Missouri’s proposed tobacco tax initiative could end up on the November 7th ballot, after all. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan rejected the amendment, last month, saying the petition fell 274 signatures short of the amount needed in the 5th Congressional District in the Kansas City area. Now, the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners says it has verified more than 300 valid petition signatures that had been rejected. The Committee for a Healthy Future, which is behind the initiative, wants to increase the tax by 4 cents per cigarette and 20 percent on other tobacco products. The money would be used to increase healthcare funding for low-income people and for smoking prevention and cessation efforts. A court hearing to determine whether the initiative should be ordered placed on the ballot will resume on Friday in Cole County Circuit Court.