NEIGHBORHOOD STORE ASSOCIATION
Winter 2006
Vol. 8 No. 1
New California Initiative Proposes $2.60 Increase…
Californians currently pay 87 cents in state cigarette taxes; however, if a group of health organizations is successful in passing a new ballot measure, cigarette taxes would increase by $2.60 a pack, making California’s state tax the highest in the nation at $3.47 per pack. It is estimated the tax would raise $2.7 billion annually, if cigarette sales remain stable.
Revenue from the tax would fund the state’s tobacco prevention and cessation program, emergency room care, children’s health care insurance, disease and cancer research, nursing education, as well as anti-smuggling and law enforcement programs.
Sponsors include: American Cancer Society, American Lung Association of California, American Heart Association, The Children’s Partnership, the California Hospital Association, the American Chapter, College of Emergency Physicians, California Emergency Nurses Association, and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Sponsors need to submit 598,105 valid signatures to place the initiative on the November 2006 ballot.
Tobacco Taxes headed for the Ballot again?
Supreme Court Upholds Tax Despite Indian Casino Claim
Smokers Take Minnesota’s ‘Health Impact Fee’ to Court
Governor Pataki Confirms Cigarette Excise Tax Plan