In response to the FDA's unveiling new cigarette pack warnings Tuesday, the McCook Daily Gazette posed the question, "Do high prices beat graphic photographs?"

The Gazette says it's important to target teenagers, especially given that the drop in the teen smoking rate has stalled.

"A more effective tool seems to raising the prices" of cigarettes, the Gazette quotes Harold D. Holder of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation as saying.

So, what's the answer to reducing smoking, the Gazette asks?

"Until we deal with the root causes -- and we don't see any immediate answers -- the problem is likely to continue," the Gazette says.

The Kearney Hub has posted an editorial supporting increasing Nebraska's cigarette tax and tax on other tobacco products.

The proposal, LB436, has been brought forward by Grand Island Senator Mike Gloor to increase Nebraska's cigarette tax and tax on other tobacco products. The Hub notes that the bill "would have taken a significant bite out of Medicare expenses and paid for anti-tobacco education."

The bill remains in the Nebraska Legislature's Revenue Committee, where it remains alive for next session.

(Please note: The editorial references LB246. The actual bill number is LB436.)