No on prop. 86
The “new” model for propositions is to find a topic that Californians are upset about and then write a proposition that funels a bunch of funding to your favorite special interest group as the solution to that problem. Proposition 87 uses this technique and so does prop. 86.
The special interest groups in this case are HMO’s and hospitals. They want extra money and are trying to argue that cigarette smokers cost them a fortune so they should get the extra tax money on cigarette smokers that comes from this tax supposedly goaled at reducing smoking.
Don’t be fooled.
It’s not about smoking, it’s about finding an excuse to put money in HMO’s pockets.