Proposition A would increase tax on tobacco products: Pro A

Tax increase critical for Missouri's health and future

For 265 years combined, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association have worked to prevent disease and promote health. We know, without a doubt, that tobacco is a killer. We also know that the death and illness that results from tobacco use is 100 percent preventable.

That's why our organizations have joined together in support of Proposition A, also known as the Healthy Missouri Initiative. We believe strongly that Proposition A will help make Missouri a healthier place for all, and we urge every Missourian to support this initiative.

Sadly, critics of Proposition A have launched a campaign that is rife with distortion and mischaracterization of what this measure will do. Let us set the record straight: the fact is that Proposition A is about life or death. Each year, more than 10,000 Missourians die from tobacco-related illnesses. That's more than 28 deaths per day; more than one death every hour. Proposition A is Missouri's best opportunity to address this trend.

Tobacco use places a tremendous burden on every Missouri citizen. We know that lung cancer is the third leading cause of death in this country. At the same time, it is one of our most preventable diseases because 90 percent of those cases are attributed to tobacco use. Here in Missouri, where we have some of the highest smoking rates in the nation and no state-level investment in reducing these trends, we are literally putting our future on the line. Every day, 50 more Missouri children begin the journey to tobacco addiction and, unless we reduce our smoking rates, 139,000 Missouri kids alive today will die early from smoking. It is time to support Proposition A.

The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Lung Association continue to be advocates for the American public, especially children.

Simply put, tobacco is a killer. Smoking causes 3,916 Missouri deaths every year from heart and blood vessel disease. One of our highest priorities as voluntary health organizations committed to preventing disease is to reduce that staggeringly high number. Unfortunately, Missouri never has invested what we should to reduce the incidents of tobacco use or prevent our kids from taking up the habit. Proposition A offers us the first opportunity to do something real to combat the human and economic losses associated with tobacco use.

Aside from the economic costs of smoking, of course, there are the very real costs of life. We need to be doing everything we possibly can to keep our children from taking up the deadly tobacco habit. If we could immunize our children against smoking, we would do it. In our opinion, Proposition A is the next best thing.

Proposition A would raise the excise tax on a pack of cigarettes by 55 cents, and the tax on other tobacco products by 20 percent, to fund specific health-related efforts: increasing access to quality and affordable health care, particularly for our most vulnerable citizens; helping to make prescription drugs more affordable for our seniors; preventing and reducing smoking, particularly among our children; supporting research efforts that will help find treatments and cures for our deadliest diseases; and expanding access to early child care and education, particularly in areas where we need it most.

This measure is critical to the health of Missourians both for today and tomorrow. To protect our future, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and the American Lung Association ask that you join us in voting "yes" on Proposition A on Nov. 5. Our state's health depends on it.

Lynne Schlosser

Director of government relations

American Cancer Society

Mark Goldberg, M.D.

Board member

American Heart Association

Lori Pickens

CEO

American Lung Assoc. of Eastern Missouri