Organization Pushes for Tobacco Tax Increase

from "Public Policy Update", Breathe Easy news magazine, Spring/Summer 2002

The American Lung Association of California is cosponsoring legislation to increase the state's tobacco tax by 65 cents a pack. If passed, California would have the highest cigarette tax in the country at $1.52 a pack. Authored by State Senator Deborah Ortiz (D-

Sacramento), Senate Bill 1890 would appropriate the new tax revenues for tobacco prevention and control programs, cancer and tobacco-related disease research, and healthcare programs.

Currently, California is 12th among states in per capita spending on tobacco control and prevention programs due to declining Proposition 99 tobacco tax revenues and lack of appropriations from the state's Tobacco Settlement Fund. California spends below the minimum amount that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended states spend for tobacco control and prevention and below that recommended by the state Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee's Master Plan.