A group of college friends in Idaho is hoping to make attending college more affordable, one pack of cigarettes at a time.

The group is proposing a 2016 ballot initiative which will raise the state’s cigarette tax by $1.50 — then using the money to lower the cost of higher education at universities and community colleges.

According to Bill Moran, chair and spokesperson of stoptuitionhikes.com, the idea came about five weeks ago after him and a friend, Danish Ishaq, started discussing the rising tuition rates.

“Tuition has gone up 175% from 2000 and people are talking about it. Young people are saying they can’t afford to go to college, or having to drop out at their last or second to last semester,” Moran says.

The Idaho Statesmanmakes similar claims, reporting that between 1993 and 2014, tuition and fees for Idaho state undergraduates increased significantly: 348% at Boise State University, 375% for the University of Idaho and 343% for Idaho State University.

Photo courtesy of Bill Moran.

Since college affordability has gained traction as a national issue, Moran says they figured that now was a good time to take action. In just three weeks, stoptuitionhikes.com has received a big response with over 130 volunteers pledging to carry valid initiatives and petitions.

“We thought the time and momentum was now,” Moran says.

In order for the group to accomplish their goal, Moran says they’ll need over 47,000 signatures by April 30. The Spokesman-Review reports that this needs to include at least 6% of voters in each of the state’s 18 legislative districts.

“The main thing busting state budget is cigarette healthcare cost because of cigarette-related illness, rather than higher education, which is first one the chopping block. Students are subsidizing the tobacco industry, and that’s not fair,” Moran says.

Moran estimates that the plan will save students an average of $131.11 million per academic year. According to the group’s website, this is done by reducing student loan repayment terms by 9.17 years — saving students $68.58 million in interest — in addition to $62.53 million in principal over the life of the loan.

The plan also estimates that it will decrease long-term state health care costs and increase state revenue by $69.48 million. Of this, 90% will go to four-year universities, while the other 10% will support the state’s community and technical colleges.

The group says they’ve received nothing but support, but estimates they’ll get substantial opposition from the tobacco industry.

If successful, however, the tax would begin in July 2017.

“This is something (students) need to get involved in right away,” Moran says. “Your communities do care about you and want you to succeed. I want students to know there is a future, and there is a chance.”