California Proposition 29 (2012)

Proposition 29, the California Cancer Research Act, is a California ballot measure that was defeated by California voters at the state-wide election on June 5, 2012.

The measure would have placed a $1 excise on tobacco products into a protected fund to finance medical research on smoking-related illnesses, strengthen California’s smoking prevention and cessation programs, and enforce the state’s existing tobacco laws.

The independent California Legislative Analyst's Office projected that the measure would have generated approximately $855 million in first year, declining slightly but predictably (about 3% annually due to decrease in the number of smokers) every year thereafter. [1]

The measure would have created a nine-member committee charged with administering direct revenues. This oversight committee was to be composed of cancer-research medical professionals, University of California Chancellors, and representatives of national disease advocacy groups. The measure restricted administration costs to no more than 2% of its direct tax revenues.[2]

The California Cancer Research Act was widely supported by cancer advocates, including cancer survivor Lance Armstrong and the American Cancer Society.[3]

Detail

How CCRA revenue would have been spent

According to the independent California Legislative Analyst's Office, revenue raised by the measure would have been spent as follows:[4]

Oversight

The measure would have created a 9-member governing committee charged with administering the fund. The California Cancer Research Act Oversight Committee was to be composed of:[5]

Ballot qualification

The California Secretary of State confirmed that The California Cancer Research Act had qualified for California’s next statewide ballot on August 24, 2010, after its supporting coalition submitted 633,453 voter signatures for verification in June 2010. To qualify, the measure required 433,971 signatures, or more.[6]

Election Results

Results by county.
Tax on Cigarettes for Cancer Research
Choice Votes %
Referendum failed No 2,592,791 50.2
Yes 2,568,715 49.8
Total votes 5,161,506 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 23,713,027

[7]

See also

References

External links