Health Care Advocates Work To Revive Tobacco Tax Bill
Representatives of the American Cancer Society and other health care groups -- including the American Heart Association and American Lung Association -- are meeting with lawmakers in an effort to revive a bill (SB 768) -- by Sen. Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) -- that would add a $2-per-pack tax on cigarettes in California to fund health care and smoking prevention programs. If lawmakers are unwilling to move on the measure, the coalition likely will push for a ballot initiative.
- "California Health Advocates Renewing Tobacco Tax Push" (White, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 7/24).