Cigarette Tax

California is trying pass an intitiative measure on imposing additional tax on cigarettes for cancer research.

According to the measure despite continuing advancements in medical treatment and prevention, cancer remains a leading cause of death in California, reponsible for nearly one in every four deaths each year. Medical experts expect more than 140,000 Californians will be diagnosed with cancer each year.

The intitiative statute imposes an additional five cent tax on each cigarette distributed as well as other tabacco products, to fund cancer research. The research will focus on detecting, preventing, treating, and curing cancer.

Cigarette smoker Ariean Hayward says, "I don't like the idea of cigarettes costing more but if it is going to help prevent cancer then I guess I am for it."

The increase in the new cigarette tax is hoped to amass revenues of about $855 million annually by 2011-12.