Prop 56: Tobacco tax increase to fund programs, deter smoking

Proposition 56, or the tobacco tax increase, is a ballot measure that will raise the existing tax on cigarettes as well as other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes by $2. As of right now, the tobacco tax is 87 cents per pack of cigarettes. Ten cents go to the General Fund, and the rest funds tobacco prevention, health care for low-income persons, environmental protection, breast cancer research, and early childhood development programs. Increasing the tax would be beneficial for all of the above and may even fend off those who smoke, even if by a little. Say yes to the tobacco tax increase.