An application for an initiative that would tax tobacco to fund early-childhood education and health services in Arizona has been filed with the Secretary of State’s Office.

A group called “First Things First for Arizona’s Children” seeks voter approval to place an 80-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes to benefit children before they attend kindergarten, said Nadine Basha, chairwoman of the group and a member of the State Board of Education.

“We want them to come to school healthy and to be successful,” she said. “In Arizona, we really don’t have a funding stream for kids zero to five (years old).”

The effects of the tax would save Arizona taxpayers money because “early childhood education lowers the drop-out rates, reduces crime and cuts the costs of social services,” according to the filed application.

Ms. Basha said that if passed by voters, she expects the tax to raise at lease $150 million annually.

The proposed initiative would also create the Arizona Early Childhood and Development and Health Board to oversee regional groups responsible for identifying and prioritizing educational and health care shortcomings of young children.

Opponent: Tax unfairly targets smokers

One opponent of the proposed initiative argues that the tax against smokers is unfair and state revenues from tobacco sales will decline because fewer cigarettes will be purchased in Arizona.

“We’re singling out a product that is easy to tax because a lot of people don’t like it,” said Rep. Michele Reagan, R- 8, chairman of the House Commerce Committee. “It’s taxed enough already.”

Ms. Reagan said that tobacco sales have declined in the past after new taxes were levied, presumably because more sales were conducted over the Internet and in New Mexico, where smugglers would buy loads of cigarettes to sell illegally in Arizona.

Ms. Basha said that paid collectors and volunteers will be used to gain the necessary signatures and that her organization will spend about $2 million, with funding coming from individuals, businesses and educational groups.

Other tobacco products such as cigars, pipe and chewing tobacco would also be subject to various levels of taxing, if the measure is approved by voters.

Cigarettes are taxed $1.18 per pack. Should the proposed initiative be passed by voters in 2006, the tax rate would rise to $1.98 per pack.

Backers of the proposal have until July 6 to collect 122,612 valid signatures of Arizona voters to get the measure on the 2006 ballot.

The serial number for the proposed initiative is I-16-2006.