The other proposal would raise the tax by 60 cents per pack, with the proceeds going toward early childhood education and preventive health programs. The proposal is backed by the Raise Your Hand for Kids nonprofit, with Reynolds American Inc. contributing to the effort.

While Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, a Democrat who is running for U.S. Senate, agreed that the courts likely would have to decide which tax would be implemented, supporters of the measures sounded confident Tuesday that both taxes would be tacked on to a pair of smokes if both questions win approval.

“We are working under the assumption that if both pass, both apply and are cumulative,” said Ron Leone, executive director of the petroleum marketers association.

Linda Rallo, who heads Raise Your Hand for Kids, agreed, saying that because the two tax hikes don’t conflict with one another, both would go into effect.

If that occurs, the state’s tax on cigarettes would be set at $1.00 per pack, which would be higher than Kansas and Nebraska, but still lower than other surrounding states.

It’s no sure thing that both will be on the ballot.