Opponents Of Tobacco Tax Charge Full-Tilt Into Battle
It's become one of the most expensive propositions on the November ballot and the intensity of fundraising over the measure shows no signs of cooling down.
The Mercury News:
California Tobacco Tax: Prop. 56 Faces Uphill Battle Against Lobbies
The tobacco industry has poured nearly $56 million into fighting Proposition 56, about three times the $17.5 million raised by supporters as of August. If approved, the new tobacco tax would generate $1.4 billion in its first year. Most of the additional tax would go toward Medi-Cal, which provides health coverage for California’s poor and which backers say shoulders $3.5 billion a year for treating tobacco-related illnesses. (Giwargis, 9/16)
In other ballot news —
KPCC:
Would More Teens Smoke If Recreational Pot Were Legal?
Proposition 64 would prohibit the sale of non-medical marijuana to people younger than 21 years old. It also includes other safeguards intended to keep pot out of teenagers' hands: It prevents marijuana businesses from being located within 600 feet of schools, and it prevents pot products from being advertised to kids. Advocates say these types of regulations, plus public education, can actually decrease teen pot use. That's what's happened with other substances, says Paul Armentano, deputy director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. (Plevin, 9/18)