Cigarette Tax Hike Proposal Concerns Missouri C-Stores

Come Nov. 6, Missouri voters will cast their vote on whether to pay more in cigarette taxes, KSPR-TV reports. Proposition B would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 73 cents. Currently, Missouri’s cigarette tax stands at 17 cents per pack, the lowest in the United States.

Opponents of the tax increase point out that low cigarette taxes bring in shoppers from other states, which in turn boosts store sales overall. Rapid Roberts is one convenience store chain that moved its locations close to the Arkansas border years ago to cater to out-of-state customers. Rapid Roberts officials said more than 75% of their business is from Arkansas residents because that state has a $1.15 per pack cigarette tax.

Rapid Roberts officials also pointed out that higher cigarette taxes will impact sales of other goods, such as gasoline and chips. If approved, the tax rate for cigarettes would jump to 90 cents per pack. The Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store (MPCA) recently launched a billboard campaign against Proposition B, saying the tobacco tax rate would increase 760%.