CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County voters are being asked to help ensure the arts are funded through Issue 55. That includes Playhouse Square, which is the second largest theater district in the country.

At Cleveland Public Theater, telling stories is just the surface of what they do.

“We are creating a full season of productions that truly represent many of Cleveland’s diverse communities,” said Raymond Bobgan, executive artistic director of Cleveland Public Theater.

Through their non-profit organization, they offer a list of things including different productions, classes, and experiences.

“Cleveland Public Theater’s mission is to elevate consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking performances and life-changing educational programs,” Raymond said.

What helps fund their work is a cigarette tax passed in 2006 and renewed in 2015. It helps fund more than 300 arts and culture nonprofits, including CPT, throughout Cuyahoga County.

“We’re talking about more programs throughout our community for kids. We’re talking about work that attracts investment from outside of Cleveland, from outside of the region, and we’re talking about world-class works of art actually made here,” Raymond said.

However, since 2006, cigarette sales have declined by more than 50%, reducing revenue and funding for the arts. Izzy Stewart of R Strategy Group is therefore pushing to increase it through issue 55.

“Issue 55 is a replacement tax to replace our current cigarette tax with a new one to ensure increased, longer-term funding for nonprofit arts and culture here,” Izzy said.

The current tax is 15 mills (1.5 cents) per cigarette; if increased, it would amount to 35 million (3.5 cents) per cigarette sold in the county, or a total tax of 70 cents per standard pack of cigarettes.

“This funding has touched every corner of Cuyahoga County, and Issue 55 will help improve educational outcomes. This will improve our quality of life. This will boost our local economy and build stronger neighborhoods,” Izzy said.

Some voters News 5 spoke with are against any tax increases.

“I feel like they should stay the same or go down, no one wants to pay more for cigarettes,” one voter said.

Others told us they didn’t see a problem.

Issue 55 requires a majority vote to pass, and Izzy estimates it would bring in more than $160 million in revenue over the decade. If not, Raymond fears the repercussions.

“Like so many arts organizations in our city, we are dynamic and resilient. We’ll get through this, but it means less for our community as a whole,” Raymond said. “That means a decrease in the number of children we can serve. This means a decrease in the number of local parts we can produce, and it means a decrease in our workforce.

But he says that whatever happens, they will find a way to continue their work.

The portion of the cigarette tax allocated to the ACC is separate from the “sin tax” on cigarettes and alcohol that is used to fund facility improvements for the Cavaliers, Guardians and Browns.