Smokers paid $341 million to state in 2001

To the editor:

I am writing to comment on the recent letter to the editor headlined "If some smokers quit, tax revenues still would be big."

Missouri's smokers are already carrying more than a reasonable share of the tax burden. In 2001, Missouri's smokers paid more than $341 million to the state in cigarette-related revenue alone. State and local cigarette excise taxes totaled more than $123 million, sales taxes totaled more than $78 million and tobacco settlement payments totaled $140 million. Shouldn't the Show Me state show its citizens where last year's $341 million went before supporters of this increase ask for more?

Between 1999 and 2001, state and federal governments collected more than $88 billion in taxes and state settlement payments. The government profit from the cost of an average pack of cigarettes is 47 percent. The government already pockets more tobacco revenue per minute than the average working family takes home in a year.

Apparently supporters of the proposed cigarette tax increase believe it's fair to single out those who are least able to pay. The median annual income of smokers in Missouri is $26,211. If tough times call for additional revenue for programs that benefit all citizens, new taxes should be equitably distributed -- not just paid by the 27 percent of adults who smoke.

MAURA PAYNE

Vice President-Communications

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Winston-Salem, N.C.