A citizen-initiated ballot issue to raise the tobacco tax is on the North Dakota ballot this fall. I do not watch a lot of television but every time that I do, I see the same advertisement opposing the ballot issue. My first conclusion was that someone has a lot of money!

The ad never identifies the issue as an increase in tobacco tax. So, I was surprised to find that the ads were objecting to a tax on something that is a known carcinogen. My second conclusion was that those funding the ad not only had a lot of money, but they were spending it on deceptive advertising and using an approach based on misinformation.

The ads try to lead one to believe that the issue is simply an increase in taxes and that an irresponsible state government will surely spend it unwisely. The ad fails to explain that the proceeds of the tax will be used to fund veterans and health services. My third conclusion was “shame on you” whoever you are.

My final conclusion was that you are wasting your money because savvy North Dakotans won’t fall for false advertising.

Mike Hendrickson is an ethic professor in the Department of Accountancy at The University of North Dakota.