SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California will not raise cigarette taxes by $1 a pack after vote results posted on Friday showed a ballot initiative on the matter narrowly failed, and proponents of the tax on tobacco products conceded defeat. reported Reuters.
The measure, known as Proposition 29, was defeated 50.3% to 49.7%, according to full precinct count results posted on Friday by California's Secretary of State. Some additional absentee and other ballots remained to be counted.
"While the final numbers are not yet in, it appears that California's Prop 29 will be defeated," proponents of the measure said in a statement. "We are sorely disappointed that, yet again, Big Tobacco placed its profits ahead of the health of California and the nation."
The initiative would have raised the tax on cigarette packs by $1 and added an equivalent tax increase on other tobacco products, with the extra tax revenue dedicated to research on cancer and other tobacco-related illnesses.
With the no vote, California's cigarette tax remains at 87 cents per pack. That tax revenue already goes toward various tobacco prevention and cessation programs, according to the state.
A coalition of groups including the American Cancer Society and cycling great and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong were prominent supporters of the initiative.
Just under 28,000 votes separated the more than five million ballots cast in the June 5 election.
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