Montana Viewpoint

Ballot initiative 185, or I-185, has become quite the hot-button issue this campaign season. I-185 raises the taxes levied on all tobacco products, including raising the cigarette tax to $3.70 per pack, and raising the moist snuff tax to the greater of 83% of the wholesale price or $3.70 per 1.2 ounces. Now, right off the bat, I am not a fan of this initiative for the simple fact that it raises taxes. That fact, however, is far from the only reason I am voting NO on I-185.

If a person only reads the language for the ballot initiative, it seems very innocent; raise taxes on a select por...