Health Advocates Lush Kansas Tax Hike on Cogarettes

(AP) – Health advocates say they support a proposed state tax hike to cigarettes.
Representatives of Kansans for a Healthy Future said at a Monday news conference that increasing cigarette taxes would both bring in revenue and save the state money as it reduces smoking. The organization is a comprised of community anti-smoking advocates.
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback has proposed increasing the cigarette tax to $2.29 a pack from 79 cents. He has also recommended raising the tax on other tobacco products to 25 percent from 10 percent as the state looks to fill budget shortfalls of roughly $422 million.
Terry Dunn, chairman of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, said at the conference that the tax would make the state more proactive about health and competitiveness.