PROPOSITION E E: TOBACCO AND NICOTINE TAXES

Proposition EE asks voters to approve a phased tax increase on tobacco products and a new tax on vaping products such as e- cigarettes. The tax on a pack of cigarettes, currently 84 cents, would increase to $ 2.64 by 2027. Other tobacco products’ taxes would increase to 22% of the manufacturer’s list price by 2027. Nicotine products would be taxed 62% of the manufacturer’s list price by 2027. Revenue would go to public education, universal preschool, and vaping cessation and educational programs.

The case for: Funding from the taxes would go to children’s health and education efforts and help public education. The tax on nicotine products is seen as a way to partly address teen vaping and the tobacco tax increase as a way to curb adult and teen smoking.

Higher taxes are expected to decrease consumption.

The case against: Small businesses worry that approval of the measure would put them out of business but keep big tobacco companies up and running. Tobacco taxes tend to affect people from lower- income households disproportionately. Some also argue that a recession isn’t the right time for a tax increase. The revenue would decrease over time, and the state shouldn’t be relying on this source for education funding, opponents say.