FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 20, 2005
For Media Assistance

New tobacco tax to fund health care for kids,
expand anti-smoking and disease prevention programs

Sacramento, Calif.--A newly formed coalition of the state's major health and children's advocacy groups has launched a campaign to pass a $1.50 increase in the state's cigarette tax on the November 2006 ballot. Proceeds from the Tobacco Tax, Disease Prevention and Children's Health Insurance Act would be directed to strengthen and expand existing tobacco prevention efforts, disease prevention, treatment and research programs such as those for heart disease and stroke, cancer and lung disease, and would also provide funding so that every child in California can receive affordable health care insurance.

"Tragically, more than 800,000 children in California today are without even the most basic health care coverage," said Wendy Lazarus, Founder and Co-President of The Children's Partnership. "This initiative responds to the overwhelming majority of Californians who believe that providing affordable insurance for kids is 'the right thing to do'. With 90 percent of kids already covered, these funds will allow California to finish the job for children."

Earlier this month, Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation that would have provided health insurance for every uninsured child in California, saying he supported the goal but there was no money to pay for it.

Although California has become a worldwide role model in reducing adult and youth smoking, there are still nearly four million people in California who smoke and tobacco remains the leading cause of death in California, taking 40,000 lives annually.

"Taxing tobacco will save lives," said Georjean Stoodt, MD, MPH, President of the American Cancer Society, California Division. "This tobacco tax will help prevent children from starting to smoke and provide services to help smokers quit."

Smoking related diseases have a major negative economic impact on all taxpayers and the entire health care system, including more than $8.6 billion annually in medical expenses every year.

"Tobacco places a tremendous strain on the state's health care system, which makes it nearly impossible to address important diseases such as heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes and asthma," said Hannah Valantine, MD, President of the American Heart Association Western States Affiliate.

Tobacco Tax, Disease Prevention and Children's Health Insurance Act
"This tobacco tax focuses on preventing illnesses rather than paying for the cost of treatment after a person gets sick," said Rick Donaldson, Jr., Ph.D., RCP, and Chair of the Board for the American Lung Association of California.

If passed by the voters, the additional $1.50 per pack tax would raise the state tobacco tax to $2.37 per pack. Currently, the state's tobacco tax is $.87 per pack. The state tobacco tax was last raised by $.50 per pack in 1998 by Proposition 10.

The Coalition for a Healthy California consists of the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, California Nurses Association, PICO California, The Children's Partnership, Children Now, and the California Primary Care Association.

For a full copy of the Tobacco Tax, Disease Prevention and Children's Health Insurance Act of 2006, please go to: http://caag.state.ca.us/initiatives/index.htm

Additional Contacts:
Paul Knepprath, American Lung Association (916) 505-3099
Jim Knox, American Cancer Society (916) 448-0500
Eric Batch, American Heart Association (916) 446-6505
Ted Lempert, Children Now (510) 763-2444
Jim Keddy, PICO California (916) 447-7959
Carmela Castellano-Garcia, California Primary Care Association (916) 440-8170
Michael Lighty, California Nurses Association (510) 273-2242

The 100% Campaign, a collaborative effort of Children Now, Children's Defense Fund and The Children's Partnership, with primary funding from The California Endowment, was created to ensure that all of California's children obtain the health coverage they need to grow up strong and healthy.

The PICO California Project is the united effort of 20 California congregation-community organizations affiliated with the PICO National Network. Collectively, we represent 350 congregations and 400,000 families statewide and are actively organizing in over 70 cities in Northern and Southern California.