Topeka ? Anti-smoking groups are trying to pressure Kansas legislators into raising the state’s cigarette tax by $1 a pack, to a total $1.79.

Half-page ads were running Tuesday in newspapers in seven cities, urging Kansans to contact lawmakers in support of the tax increase.

The ads are paid for by the American Cancer Society and sponsored by three other anti-smoking groups.

The groups also planned to start airing radio ads Wednesday on 26 stations across the state.

Boosting the tax would raise almost $75 million a year for the state. The ads also note that higher taxes are likely to discourage young people from smoking.

Kansas lawmakers reconvene April 28 to tackle a projected shortfall in the budget for the next fiscal year.