By T. Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The group pushing the passage of Proposition A in Missouri says raising cigarette taxes would save lives and keep children from ever starting smoking.
Citizens for a Healthy Missouri is citing a study from University of Illinois-Chicago researcher Frank Chaloupka which says the 55-cent tax hike would keep more than 49,000 youths from taking up the habit.
Chaloupka says if cigarette prices go up, youths won't want to pay the higher costs.
Similar studies were also cited in Illinois this spring when lawmakers there were considering a tobacco tax hike. Opponents of Proposition A say smokers shouldn't be hit with a more than 300-percent tax increase.