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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – It was announced earlier this year that a petition was circulating to increase the state’s tobacco tax.

Central Valley Health has reported that this proposed increase would benefit them and their services.

North Dakota’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Wayne Paulson says the states tobacco tax is one of the five lowest rates in the nation at just 44 cents per pack and the tax hasn’t increased since 1993. Paulson tells Dave Thompson of Prairie Public Radio that the ballot initiative would increase the tax by $1.76 per pack to $2.20.

If the initiative would have 50% of collected tax revenues go towards veterans in North Dakota. The other 50% would go towards community health programs such as Central Valley Health. Unit Administrator Robin Iszler.

Signatures are still being collected for the ballot initiative. The total amount is due by July 1st.