If some smokers quit, tax revenue still would be big

To the editor:

In answer to Thomas Aldredge of Oak Ridge concerning the question of taxing alcohol instead of tobacco products: Obviously, more taxes on both is a very good idea. Perhaps those interested in increasing taxes on alcohol can put that on next year's ballot. But this year the subject is tobacco.

It's true that if the tobacco tax goes through about 10 percent of smokers will quit, but the state has already considered that into the equations and will still realize millions of dollars in additional tax revenue. In addition, the state will also realize millions of dollars in Medicaid savings from fewer smoking-related illnesses. That, together with fewer teens starting to smoke, fewer pregnant women smoking (or smoking less), fewer innocent people getting sick (including cancers) from breathing secondhand smoke and all the other benefits that Missourians will realize make Proposition A a win-win proposition.

Yes, smokers alone are footing the bill for this, but it's about time they contribute more of the $3.45 a pack all of us are paying -- in additional taxes -- to support the additional Medicaid expenses Missouri pays due to illnesses that one pack of cigarettes creates.

The 55-cent cigarette tax is going after the really big bucks and health issues (9,900 Missouri deaths a year). Alcohol-related issues (511 traffic deaths in 2000) can be next year's fight for those who really feel passionate about it.

RICK HYER

Troy, Mo.