Prop. 29 Would Raise Taxes $1 Per Pack of Cigarettes

About 15 San Diego supporters of Proposition 29, which would raise the tax on tobacco products by $1 per pack to fund research on cancer, heart disease and other smoking-related illnesses, began their campaign today.

Jim Gogek, of the American Lung Association, said the tax would raise $600 million annually.

"The increase in tobacco taxes will convince many smokers to quit and young people to not start," Gogek said.

He said the measure that will go before voters in June wouldn't be a general tax on everyone.

"If you don't smoke, you won't pay this tax," Gogek said.

The measure is opposed by a variety of chambers of commerce and taxpayer associations.

"We all believe cancer research is important, but this measure is flawed and poorly written," said Teresa Casazza, president of the California Taxpayers' Association.

"At a time when California is faced with a crippling budget deficit, we can't afford to start a new program spending nearly $1 billion a year, especially one with no accountability to the taxpayers."

Gogek said no more than 2 percent of the funds raised by the tax could be used for administration, and the rest could not be used for other programs or to balance the state's budget.

A pack of cigarettes in California currently costs well over $5, including 87 cents in state taxes, according to the state Board of Equalization. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids reports that California's tax rate is higher than that of most major states, but below the nation as a whole.

John Pierce, associate director for population sciences at the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, said a 20-year decline in the number of smokers stalled a couple of years ago, and the number of young people using tobacco products appears to be on the upswing.

-City News Service

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Updated Feb. 2 @ 8:45 a.m.