For many Missouri health advocates, an increase in the state's tobacco tax is long overdue. But onlookers might be surprised to hear that tobacco companies are spending a fortune this election year to get one or another increase in that tax passed, while health groups are urging a no vote.
What's going on? The tax increases that the companies want are so low that tobacco researchers say they would have no effect on smokers buying their products — or quitting a dangerous habit.
