Tax measure could cause financial jolt to California smokers

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A campaign to raise California's cigarette tax by $2 a pack said Monday it has collected enough signatures to qualify the proposal for the Nov. 8 ballot and raise the prospect of a pocketbook jolt for smokers in the nation's most populous state.

Backers hope the higher cost of cigarettes would discourage young people from smoking while raising money for anti-smoking campaigns and research on tobacco-related illnesses.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says studies have shown that a 10 percent price increase generally lowers consumption between 3 percent and 5 percent, and slightly more among children.

Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed legislation to make California the second state in the nation, following Hawaii, to raise the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21.

Major backers include the California Medical Association, California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, and the Service Employees International Union.