What are reasons for not raising Cigarette tax in Mississippi?

Question

We currently have 3rd lowest rate in US at $.18 per pack. Why would a state with some of the worst health issues in the US not raise tax on this harmful product?

Answer 1

I don't know how it's handled in MS, but here in MO it has to go to a vote at a general election. A huge cig tax increase was on the ballot back in November and it was defeated by a small margin.

Curious of the outcome, I asked around. Predictably I didn't fnd a single smoker who voted for the tax. Surprisingly the non-smokers that I asked were about evenly split. Those who voted against it either said that it was way too high ($1.50 per pack) or that they were just against taxes in general.