Smokers in California would see a hefty tax increase on their cigarettes under a bill reintroduced today in the Legislature. The tax would fund treatment for Medi-Cal patients with smoking-related illnesses.
Democratic Senator Richard Pan says the measure he reintroduced today is part of a package of bills to curb smoking.
“Every state bordering California has a higher tobacco tax. In fact, we have one of the lowest tobacco taxes in the country. Even Texas has a higher tobacco tax than California right now,” says Pan.
Other measures would increase the age limit to buy tobacco to 21, regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products and close loopholes in smoke-free workplace laws.
Representatives for tobacco and e-cigarette companies declined comment. A spokeswoman for a coalition of business and taxpayer groups said it remains opposed to raising the cigarette tax.
Pan says the levy would fund treatment for Medi-Cal patients with smoking-related illnesses.
The Senate could vote on the bills as soon as tomorrow.
Follow us for more stories like this
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today
