Voters in California to Decide on E-Cigarette Regulation and Tax Increase

California voters will vote on a proposal to regulate the e-cigarette industry and increase tobacco taxes. Proposal number 56 suggests raising the current tobacco sales tax from $0.87 to $2.87 and allowing state governments to impose taxes on e-cigarette sales. However, opponents argue it will harm industries that help smokers quit. California has one of the lowest smoking rates in the country, at only 12%. Advocates against smoking are concerned about the potential harm caused by e-cigarettes, which they believe are turning non-smokers into nicotine addicts. Only 13% of the annual revenue from the tax will be allocated towards smoking cessation programs.