Increases the cigarette tax from $0.17 per pack of 20 cigarettes to $0.27 per pack to be used for public education and health care purposes, upon voter approval

HB 1856 amends Missouri's cigarette tax law to set a rate of $0.17 per pack (8.5 mills per cigarette), with revenue directed to public education and healthcare through the "Fair Share Fund." This change would require voter approval and applies to all cigarette sales within Missouri, affecting retailers, distributors, and consumers. The bill maintains existing tax collection mechanisms, requiring stamps on cigarette packages and specifying that the tax must be absorbed by the consumer. It also preserves provisions for the tax to potentially decrease to $0.13 per pack ($0.065 per cigarette) if certain state appropriations are made. The measure does not alter current tax rates but formalizes their use for designated public purposes upon voter consent.