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A proposal to raise Missouri's tobacco tax and dedicate the proceeds to antismoking and other health programs has been approved by a state judge who said it should appear on the statewide ballot in November, the Springfield News-Leader reported Sept. 12.

Cole County Circuit Judge Thomas Brown ruled that supporters had gathered enough signatures to put the question before voters; a previous ruling held that the campaign came up 274 names short in Kansas City. Opponents promised an appeal of Brown's ruling.

Under the proposed constitutional amendment, Missouri's cigarette tax would increase from 17 cents per pack to 97 cents per pack, and taxes on other tobacco products would rise from 10 percent of invoice prices to 30 percent. Backers say the increased taxes would raise $351 million for health programs.