Campaign ads for the November election have begun to appear.
Save Lives California, the group supporting Proposition 56, has released its first ad highlighting the dangers of tobacco use.
The measure, if passed, will increase the tax on cigarettes $2, which health officials believe will help stop people, especially youth, from smoking while simultaneously saving taxpayers money. The revenue from the tax will primarily go to fund cancer research and related health programs.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association in California, California Medical Association, California Dental Association, and several other organizations make up the coalition that is hoping to get voters to approve a tobacco tax in November.
It seems the group just might get the support they’re looking for. Several city councilmembers and other elected officials from across party lines have already signed on to support this measure and the list keeps growing. Backers from various business organizations and labor groups across the state are even seeing eye-to-eye on the importance of this measure.
And earlier this year, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors passed similar legislation taxing cigarette users in the county, almost foreshadowing this year’s election results.
View the ad above or on the group’s Facebook page.
And check out the list of endorsers on the Yes on 56 website.