ICYMI: Field Poll Finds Large Majority of Californians Favor Taxing and Regulating E-Cigarettes

Field Poll results released on October 26th show overwhelming support for taxing and regulating electronic cigarettes, a key component of the 2016 initiative submitted by the Save Lives California coalition that will prevent smoking – the number one cause of preventable death in California. Almost three in four California voters (74%) favor taxing e-cigarettes and vaping products to fund public education, research and law enforcement around tobacco products.

The Field Poll also found that significant majorities of Californians are in favor of regulating “vape shops” like other tobacco retailers and prohibiting e-cigarette usage in places where smoking is not allowed. Nearly three in five voters (57%) want to ban flavored e-cigarettes to reduce their appeal to teens.  We know between 2011 and 2013, e-cig use in youth tripled equating to a quarter million youth using these devices, largely because of a lack of regulation on these products.

“Teen vaping is growing to epidemic proportions and this study shows Californians want to prevent the public health threat of these tobacco products,” said Kula Koenig, California Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association. “It’s up to all of us to keep these dangerous tobacco products – that contain addictive nicotine and cancer-causing particles – away from kids. The Save Lives initiative prevents underage smokers from becoming addicted to unsafe products, while ensuring if you don’t smoke, you don’t pay.” 

For the full press release, visit here.

As you know, the Save Lives California has submitted the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016. This voter initiative will increase the state’s cigarette tax by $2 per pack, and place equivalent taxes on other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. The money will be used to fund healthcare, research into cures for smoking related disease, and tobacco prevention efforts aimed at teens and others.

Increasing the price of tobacco products is a proven strategy to decrease use, especially among use. Every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces overall consumption decreases by 3-5%, reduces the number of young-adult smokers by 3.5%, and reduces the number of kids who smoke by 6-7%.  Similar trends are seen for price increases of all tobacco products.

To get involved, please contact Kula Koenig or Josh Brown.