Statewide ballot push begins for new Tobacco Tax Initiative

February 19, 2006

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hundreds of volunteers throughout the state hit shopping malls and grocery stores yesterday to gather nearly one million signatures needed to place an initiative on the November 2006 ballot that would provide critical funding to reduce smoking, keep emergency rooms open, fund health insurance for children and expand nursing education.

"This initiative will save lives, by raising the tobacco tax and funding urgently needed community emergency and related health care services," said Paul Knepprath of the American Heart Association of California. "This is the broadest coalition that's ever come together to reduce smoking, the number one cause of death in California."

The initiative, which is being sponsored by the Coalition for a Healthy California, would raise the state's tobacco tax by $2.60 per pack of cigarettes, providing approximately $2.1 billion annually for emergency room care, nursing education, children's health insurance, tobacco use prevention programs, and disease research and treatment efforts.

The Coalition for a Healthy California includes the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association of California, American Heart Association, The Children's Partnership, the California Hospital Association, the California Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, California Emergency Nurses Association, PICO California, Children Now, California Primary Care Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Association of California Nurse Leaders, Emergency and Acute Care Medical Corporation, and the California Association of Physician Groups.

Formal signature-gathering events will be held on Saturday, February 18 at 9 a.m. in San Francisco, San Diego, Visalia, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield and Los Angeles.

Coalition For A Healthy California -- A coalition of health organizations promoting disease research, tobacco control, emergency care and children's health services, with major funding provided by California Hospital Committee on Issues, the American Cancer Society, California Division Inc., American Heart Association and the American Lung Association of California, ID# 1278256 555 Capitol Mall #1425, Sacramento, CA 95814.

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