Topeka ? Most Lawrence legislators support a hefty increase in the cigarette tax if it means more money for health care.

“If we’re looking at trying to improve the health of individuals and the state, I think we need to look at a tax increase,” said state Sen. Tom Sloan, a Republican.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, and several key Republicans have said they will push for health care reform, including a 50-cent per pack increase in the state cigarette tax and an increase in the tax on other tobacco products.

Those would raise nearly $70 million annually and help pay for a five-year, $227 million initiative to expand health coverage for Kansans. If enacted, the tax would increase to $1.29 per pack.

But many legislative leaders, preparing for the session that starts Monday, have said the proposal is too unpopular to pass in an election year.

Still, most of the Douglas County delegation favor it.

State Sen. Marci Francisco, a Democrat, said the reforms provide a comprehensive solution by promoting personal responsibility, making the system more efficient and expanding the availability of insurance.

State Rep. Paul Davis, a Democrat, said the tax increase also would “keep people from smoking.”

State Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Democrat, and state Sen. Roger Pine, a Republican, said they supported a cigarette tax increase but won’t make a firm commitment until they see the legislation. State Rep. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, said he was reserving judgment on the issue until he did further research.

State Rep. Ann Mah, a Democrat from Topeka whose district includes a portion of southwest Douglas County, said she opposes the tax increase and most of her constituents do too. And some lawmakers say they don’t want to campaign for re-election with a cigarette tax increase hanging over them.

But Sloan said: “Every time I take a vote, I either please or antagonize someone. I keep hoping folks will look at the total record.”