Topeka – Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and state Sen. Jim Barnett – opponents in the 2006 gubernatorial election – joined forces today to push for health care proposals that include a 50-cent per pack increase in the state cigarette tax.

“I will be campaigning for this, urging people to do it, twisting arms to do it,” Sebelius said.

Appearing at a news conference with Sebelius, Barnett, R-Emporia, pledged his support saying, “It’s the right thing to do.”

When lawmakers convene the legislative session on Monday one of the main issues will be health care.

The Kansas Health Policy Authority has produced 21 recommendations that it says will improve Kansans’ health, make insurance more affordable and the system more efficient.

One of the more high-profile proposals is an increase on the tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Sebelius said the tax increase on cigarettes benefits the state by providing more revenue for health care, much of which is related to smoking illnesses. And she said it discourages young people from smoking and so in the long run reduces health care costs.

Barnett said the tax increase will be a “tough sell” in the Legislature, especially during an election year, but added that it will have greater political traction if Kansans are guaranteed that the funds will go toward health care.

State Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka, said she hoped her colleagues “don’t take the chicken way out” by rejecting the tax increase while voting in favor of the some of the other recommendations.