Support for California Tobacco Tax Increase Looses Steam

With the June 5 vote just days away, a new survey has found dwindling support for raising the state's cigarette excise tax.

May 25, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO - Support for a bill that would boost the California state excise tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1 is faltering, Reuters reports. With June 5 less than two weeks away, a new survey found that potential voters are not in favor of Proposition 29.

The Public Policy Institute of California survey discovered that more than half (53%) of possible voters said they supported the increase?"down sharply from 67% in March. Forty-two percent surveyed indicated a no vote, and 5% were undecided.

If approved by voters, the bill would raise the state cigarette tax to $1.87 per pack, with the proceeds going to tobacco-use medical research and smoking cessation programs. "One would have to assume that the 'no?? campaign has been successful in raising doubts about this particular measure," said Mark Baldassare, president/CEO of the Public Policy Institute.

Voters last increased California tobacco taxes in 1998, when a ballot measure was approved raising the cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack. That money went to smoking cessation and childhood development initiatives.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement