Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
California Voters Pass $2 Cigarette Tax
San Francisco Chronicle: Prop. 56: Voters Approve Cigarette Tax
California voters on Tuesday approved an increase in the state’s tobacco tax by $2 per pack of cigarettes. California’s tobacco tax is 87 cents per pack, and it has not been raised since 1999. Proposition 56 will raise the per-pack tax to $2.87. The measure also will impose tobacco taxes on vaping products for the first time, applying to e-cigarettes containing nicotine. (Gutierrez and Whiting, 11/9)
KQED News: Voters Approve $2 Tobacco Tax, But Remain Mixed On Other Health Measures
Voters made a clear choice on raising the price of cigarettes, but were more circumspect about regulating the pornography and pharmaceutical industries at the ballot box. (Dembosky, 11/9)
California Healthline: California Voters Pass Key Health Measures, Including Tobacco Tax Hike
Several health-related initiatives in California appeared headed for passage Tuesday, including a cigarette tax, legalization of recreational marijuana and additional funding for Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. A measure intended to cap prescription drug prices, watched closely around the nation and strongly opposed by the pharmaceutical industry, was trailing. (Ibarra, 11/9)
Denver Post: Amendment 72: Colorado Tobacco Tax Fended Off By Voters
An amendment to the state constitution that would sharply raise the tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products was rejected Tuesday night by Colorado voters opposed to the measure aimed at reducing youth smoking and channeling the revenue to a variety of health programs. (Simpson, 11/8)
WDAY: North Dakota Voters Reject Tobacco Tax Hike Measure
North Dakota will remain among the states with the lowest taxes on tobacco products after voters denied a ballot measure Tuesday night. Initiated Statutory Measure 4, The North Dakota Tobacco Tax Increase Initiative, would have raised the tax on cigarettes to $2.20. (11/8)
Kansas City Star: Cigarette Taxes Losing, Voter ID And Parks Tax Winning In Missouri
Missouri voters sorted through columns of potentially confusing statewide ballot issues Tuesday, and with 87 percent of precincts reporting, two taxes on tobacco were going down to defeat. But voters came out in favor of making Missouri a state that requires a photo ID to vote. (Robertson, 11/8)
