Hefty hike in Colorado tobacco taxes qualifies for November ballot

A proposed constitutional amendment that would more than triple the taxes on a pack of cigarettes in Colorado will be on this year’s general election ballot, the Secretary of State’s Office said Monday.

Ballot Initiative 143 has more than the necessary 98,492 valid signatures from registered voters to qualify. Proponents turned in 161,412 petitions on Aug. 8.

If it passes, taxes would rise in January from 84 cents per pack to $2.59 per pack. Taxes on other tobacco products would increase by 22 percent of the manufacturers’ list price.

Supporters say the measure is expected to bring in up to $315 million in its first year, with most of the money going to programs to help people stop smoking, research on tobacco-related diseases and campaigns to discourage kids from smoking.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/22/colorado-tobacco-tax-on-ballot/