Quick Guide to Propositions
Cigarette Tax to Fund Healthcare, Tobacco Use Prevention, Research, and Law Enforcement. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Cigarette Tax to Fund Healthcare, Tobacco Use Prevention, Research, and Law Enforcement. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Summary
Increases cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, with equivalent increase on other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes containing nicotine. Fiscal Impact: Additional net state revenue of $1 billion to $1.4 billion in 2017–18, with potentially lower revenues in future years. Revenues would be used primarily to augment spending on health care for low-income Californians.
Money Raised
Chart depicts total fundraising by all committees primarily formed for and against Prop 56.Totals are updated daily with contributions from Power Search 
and adjustments from the most recent Political Reform Division analysis.
Largest Contributions
Showing the 10 largest contributions to committees formed primarily for and against Prop 56 in the election cycle when it appeared on the ballot. Contributions in earlier election cycles and contributions between allied committees are excluded. For more information on funding for ballot measure campaigns, visit the Power Search campaign finance search engine.
Yes on Prop 56
06/30/2016
10/25/2016
09/19/2016
10/12/2016
06/19/2015
10/06/2016
10/13/2016
11/18/2015
12/21/2015
01/04/2016
No on Prop 56
08/03/2016
09/07/2016
07/12/2016
08/03/2016
09/07/2016
07/12/2016
10/06/2016
10/06/2016
10/21/2016
08/03/2016
What your vote means
Yes
A YES vote on this measure means: State excise tax on cigarettes would increase by $2 per pack—from 87 cents to $2.87. State excise tax on other tobacco products would increase by a similar amount. State excise tax also would be applied to electronic cigarettes. Revenue from these higher taxes would be used for many purposes, but primarily to augment spending on health care for low-income Californians.
No
A NO vote on this measure means: No changes would be made to existing state taxes on cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes.
More on Proposition 56
For background on Proposition 56, an analysis by the legislative analyst, endorsements for and against the measure, and more...
- Read the California Voter Information Guide.
Arguments
Pro
Tobacco-related healthcare costs California taxpayers $3.5 billion annually, even if you don’t smoke. Prop. 56 works like a user fee, taxing tobacco to help pay for smoking prevention and healthcare—so smokers pay their fair share for their costs. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network sponsored Prop. 56 to prevent kids from smoking and save lives.
Con
Follow the 56 money: This $1.6 billion tax increase gives $1 billion to health insurance companies and special interests. 56 cheats schools out of $600 million a year by circumventing our minimum school funding guarantee. Only 13% of the money helps smokers or prevents kids from starting. No on 56.
Campaigns
For
1020 12th Street, Suite 303
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 706-2487
info@YesOn56.org
YesOn56.org
Against
925 University Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 409-7500
Info@NoOnProposition56.com
www.NoOnProposition56.com