Why I’m Voting NO on Prop 86

Last year various proponents attempted to submit two separate initiatives. One was backed by the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, and the California Nurses Association and children’s advocates and the other by the California Medical Association (representing doctors). Eventually both sides agreed on how the proposed funding would be allocated and the result is the current ballot measure facing voters this year. However, the spin that’s espoused by the Yes campaign contains flawed logic. Additionally, the measure appears to be a patchwork response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s repeal of the vehicle license fee.

Add to that the California legislature’s and Board of Equalization’s (BOE) plan to in essence criminalize smokers as well as the tobacco companies funneling of more than $54-million into the NO campaign (as of the middle of October), and voters are presented with, in the least, a confusing campaign that’s sure to make many shake their heads at the arguments presented by both campaigns.

So let’s look at some of the facts on Prop 86 to clear the smoke, starting from the consumer perspective.

Although estimates range from 14% to 20% on the number of Californians who still smoke, there is virtually no disagreement that the majority of smokers are low-income people. The cost of a pack of cigarettes will skyrocket from around $4 a pack to about $6.60 a pack; that is, Prop 86 will add 13 cents tax to every cigarette, or $2.60 per pack. While proponents claim that the initiative focuses on forcing smokers to kick the habit, there is no stated guarantee that on January 1, 2007 tobacco addicts will quit smoking by the millions.

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