Illinois cigarette tax may help Missouri’s economy

The state of Illinois appears to have given Missouri communities along our eastern border an economic boost. The legislature in Illinois has increased the cigarette taxes there by a dollar a pack, putting the Illinois cigarette tax at a $1.98. Missouri’s cigarette tax remains the lowest in the nation at 17 cents a pack. How much could Missouri profit from the Illniois increase? The Illinois Association of Convenience Stores expects cigarette sales in Illinois to drop by 18 million packs a year.