Missouri’s cigarette tax may not be the lowest in the nation for long; judge upholds cigarette tax hike ballot language

• Chris Dellavedova
• The tobacco tax initiative is heating up.

Missouri may not keep its nicotine-stained grip on the nation’s lowest cigarette tax for much longer.

A Cole County judge ruled that the ballot language on a tobacco tax petition submitted to the secretary of state’s office is fair, as is the cost estimate given in the summary. The petition is seeking to raise the cigarette tax from 17 cents to 90 cents. The national average for cigarette taxes per pack is $1.46, and Virginia has the second lowest tax rate at 30 cents.