JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Associated Press reports that the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association is supporting an increase in the state’s 17 cents per pack cigarette excise tax to 40 cents per pack. The association has proposed two petitions to raise the state’s cigarette tax, which is currently the lowest in the United States. 

With other groups calling for an excise tax increase of 50¢ to a $1 per pack, Executive Director Ronald J. Leone of the Missouri retail group told the news source that an increase of 23 cents to a total of 40 cents per pack is a much more reasonable option. "We think the unreasonable and outrageous tax increases are going to fail," he said. "People are going to say 'no' to those again like they did in 2002, 2006 and 2012."

Leone’s group supports two petitions to phase in the 23-cent per pack increase between 2017 and 2021, which could raise more than $800 million for the state’s general revenue fund or transportation needs in the first decade. Leone said the added funds would "provide some much needed revenue for our crumbling transportation infrastructure."

The petitions also call for a 50% excise tax increase, from 10% to 15%, on other tobacco products. The news source notes that the proposal would be void if it's enacted and other proposed tax or fee increases on cigarettes or tobacco products later are approved for a local or state ballot.