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California anti-smoking measure apparently approvedLOS ANGELES (AllPolitics, November 11) -- The latest vote count on a controversial California ballot measure, calling for a 50-cent-per-pack tax increase on cigarettes, indicates that the initiative has been approved by the voters. With all but 200,000 ballots counted, proponents of Proposition 10 rang in with a 57,000 vote lead, making it virtually certain that the measure will succeed. Alfie Charles, spokesperson from the California Secretary of State's office, told CNN that the final votes to be counted would have to take a 20 percent swing in the other direction to change the final outcome. The chance of that happening is very unlikely. The outstanding ballots are from smaller counties throughout California. Legally they have until December 1 to report the final numbers. The measure would go into effect on January 1 and make California's cigarette tax the third-highest in the nation, raising state taxes from 37 cents to 87 cents. If passed, Proposition 10 is expected to generate an estimated $700 million annually for social services aimed at families with children under 5, including prenatal care, stop-smoking programs, immunizations and domestic violence prevention. But opponents say very little of the money will be directed in that direction. The close vote came after a last-minute infusion of millions in tobacco money for TV ads blasting the measure as a well-meaning but poorly defined law that would create a huge bureaucracy. Actor and Director Rob Reiner led the campaign for the proposition. MORE STORIES:Wednesday, November 11, 1998
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