We’re Number 50!!
Missouri is Number 50! That is the reputation the state has earned when last week the state of South Carolina raised its tobacco tax. Now Missouri has the lowest tobacco tax in the United States. Not surprisingly, Missouri has one of the highest smoking rates in the United States.
Research tells us that the higher the prices of cigarettes, the less people buy them—especially young people. Now that Missouri has received this distinction, hopefully voters and/or the Missouri law makers will get serious and pass a meaningful cigarette tax increase.
No preventable public health issue in modern times has received as much attention as the harm caused by tobacco – that is why in the last year eight years 46 states have increased their tobacco tax a total of 99 times. Not Missouri. That is why 27 states have enacted clean indoor air in their states to prevent smoking in public building, bars & restaurants in the last several years…including our friends in Kansas thanks to the leadership of Governor Parkinson. Not Missouri.
It is frustrating to see leaders in most other states tackle this tobacco issue and come up with common sense solutions while Missouri legislative leaders bow down to special interest groups who benefit from the tobacco industry. Maybe now as we are truly embarrassed that Missouri is number 50--- Missouri leaders will take some action.
Maybe Missouri voters should adopt a new state model “We are mad as hell as we are not going to take it anymore!”
About Me
Steve Roling
President/CEO
Steve Roling is the President/CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City. Each week he blogs about issues that inspire him as we work toward eliminating barriers to quality health.
Comments
Thanks for making us aware of this Steve. Your blog is a great source of healthcare news and other community news.
We should be outraged that we are 50th in cigarette tax, 49th in the childcare subsidy....I am proud to be born and bred in Missouri, but there are so many issues that make me wonder what our state truly values…it certainly isn’t the wellbeing of the poor or public health. Why don't we value our public health enough to start taxing tobacco? Especially when we probably spend so much MORE on treatment for people who have failing health from tobacco! All of us PROUD Missourians need to stand up and make our values known Citizens of Missouri… don’t JUST get angry… get active in your community and lets turn things around in our state!
Thanks for helping us take the first steps, Steve! Your leadership and tireless work is so inspiring. Thank you!
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