Today is election day. And while the presidential race is hotly contested, Rockwood also has a stake in the what happens at the polls today. Proposition B, a a sales tax increase on Tobacco products, is up for a vote. If passed, cigarette taxes will increase by 73 cents a pack.

“I think the only people who wouldn’t support Prop B are people who smoke,” Carl Hudson, associate principal, said. “But I’m not one of those people so I certainly hope it passes.”

Missouri currently has the lowest cigarette tax in the country while having the 11th highest rate of smoking in the nation. If Proposition B passes, the cigarette tax will be 90 cents per pack, still below the national average of $1.46.

Proposition B is expected to generate about $283 million each year, 20 percent of which will be used on smoking prevention programs. 30 percent will go to higher education and 50 percent to elementary and secondary schools. Rockwood specifically can be expected to receive roughly $3 million annually, funds that will be used to pay for district operating costs including salaries, benefits, supplies and building maintenance and technology according to the Rockwood website.

“Proposition B comes at a time when districts are struggling,” Hudson said. “The money generated would definitely be appreciated.”

However, not all are in support of the tax.

Tanner Leslie, senior, said he sees the tax as an unfair burden on a targeted portion of the population.

“It is much more of a burden on the poor than anyone else,” Leslie said. “On the flipside, it will help the district and hopefully help to discourage smoking.”

Results of the election are likely to be made available later tonight.