The Missouri School Boards Association made a pitch for the passage of Proposition B to Columbia School Board Members during Monday night’s meeting.
Proposition B would increases state taxes on cigarettes from 17-cents per pack to 90-cents.
The 760% tax increase would be the highest in Missouri history.
A school district is not allowed to support or oppose a ballot issue.
However as an individual, Columbia Public School Superintendent Dr. Chris Belcher supports higher cigarette taxes in Missouri since 50% of the generated revenue would go to Missouri Public Schools.
Belcher said, “Other states are using the tobacco tax as a way to just provide infrastructure support. I think it would be healthy if we were at least in the game on that as a way to create revenue.”
Opponents of Proposition B said a 760% tax increase on Missouri cigarettes is unfair to smokers.
Opponents said Proposition B would reduce Missouri cigarette sales by 157 million packs a year causing an annual loss of $67 million in state revenue.
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