It's About Time, California.

About Senate Bill 600

The American Lung Association of California, American Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and American Heart Association have come together to increase California's tobacco tax in order to reduce smoking and save lives. Senate Bill 600, authored by Senator Alex Padilla, will increase the state cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack.

Smoking remains the largest preventable cause of death in California, claiming the lives of nearly 40,000 Californians every year.

This $1.50 increase would:

• Reduce youth smoking by 21%
• Prevent more than 360,000 children alive today from ever starting to smoke
• Cause nearly 190,000 current smokers to quit
• Prevent more than 165,000 premature deaths
• Save California $8.1 billion in health care costs as a result
• Generate approximately $1.2 billion in new revenue the first year and direct the proceeds to the State General Fund, the state’s tobacco control program and lung cancer research

Links

• Take a look at SB 600
• Find out how SB 600 will save kids' lives
• Learn more about the costs of smoking
• See how SB 600 will help solve the state’s budget problems

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