Editorial: Calif. Lawmakers Should Raise Tobacco Tax
According to a Sacramento Bee editorial, state voters' rejection of Proposition 29, a tobacco tax hike ballot initiative, "doesn't mean Californians oppose new cigarette taxes." The editorial states that California lawmakers -- who have become "beholden to the tobacco industry" -- should raise the tobacco tax to reduce smoking rates, "saving tens of thousands of lives and untold millions of dollars in health care costs." It adds that the "revenue from a $1 per pack increase could put a dent in the state deficit and boost anti-smoking efforts."
- "Editorial: California Can't Give Up on Higher Tobacco Taxes" (Sacramento Bee, 8/17).