Public health advocates have filed an initiative that would expand health coverage to uninsured children in California by raising the tobacco tax. Supporters say they're aiming for the November ballot. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The measure would raise the cigarette tax 75 cents a pack. Supporters say the revenue would extend health coverage to some 800-thousand uninsured children in the state. A network of community groups called PICO California is leading the effort.
Director Jim Keddy says they'll have to gather one million signatures over the next five weeks.
Keddy : Well, it's been done before. When other organizations have been in this situation, they've used a combination of volunteer and paid signature gatherers. It's feasible, but it's a pretty big hurdle to jump over.
Tobacco companies will likely weigh in if the measure qualifies. The industry spent millions of dollars to defeat the last attempt to raise tobacco taxes in the state in 2006.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
