Proposed as a solution to Missouri's state budget woes, a bill proposing a statewide 16 cent increase on Missouri's tobacco tax bill has been filed by Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis. HB 1891 would change the current tax per pack from 17 cents to 33 cents.

Increasing the tax is a win-win solution that could potentially generate up to $90 million in revenue.

In four categories related to tobacco prevention, Missouri is rated with an F, and LaSalle Spring Middle School students in West St. Louis County aim to improve that grade by proposing to legislators that an increased tobacco tax be passed. The students presented their proposal as part of a class presentation to State Representative Tim Jones.

“It's been proven that one of the best ways to reduce the prevalence of smoking is to raise the tax, thus raising the prices of cigarettes," said Harry Guo

Just because 65 percent of the voters approved the smoke-free policy for St. Louis County, and its passing meant St. Louis City would follow suit, doesn’t mean youth should not stop advocating for the rights of non-smokers.  Beginning in January 2011, smoking will be prohibited in all indoor places except casino floors and restaurants. While the passed measure and triggered St. Louis City ordinances mean progress in the fight against tobacco, they do not protect the restaurant or casino worker. Each is more likely to be harmed by second hand smoke. Research supports clean air policies without exemptions are the surest way to safeguard the rights of the non-smoking worker. See the website below.

“Smoke-free workplace policies are the only effective way to eliminate secondhand smoke.” 2006 Surgeon General’s Report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Secondhand Smoke.” http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/

The first ever anti- tobacco youth advisory council in Missouri was formed this month with 12 young people committed to end the tobacco problem in Missouri. Meeting at the Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia, the first weekend in December, the two college students and 11 high school students representing rural, suburban and urban Missouri listened as Dr. Kevin Everett, from the University of Missouri-Columbia, likened the Show-Smoke Free Youth Advisory to another generation of problem-solving youth - the young professionals who made the Apollo missions to the moon possible. That group's average age was 26.