A Lance Armstrong-backed initiative in California to raise taxes on cigarettes to fund cancer research was deadlocked Tuesday morning, reports Associated Press.
A few months ago, a statewide survey showed that Proposition 29 - to make tax $ 1 a pack - would take two-thirds support, but the morning after the polls closed vote still too close to call.
A few months ago, a statewide survey showed that Proposition 29 - to make tax $ 1 a pack - would take two-thirds support, but the morning after the polls closed vote still too close to call.
It could be days before the final outcome of the race can be determined, the wire service suggested.
The current cigarette tax in the state's 87 cents, below the national average of $ 1.46, according to ABC. The proposed $ 1 per pack tax would raise $ 735,000,000 per year if implemented, but California has not raised taxes since 2000.
A critical component fixes the vote appeared to be millions of dollars the tobacco industry poured into molds. Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds has spent nearly $ 46,000,000 in advertising opposing pedestrian, reports and news network.
However, AP reported that the association of anti-smoking groups, an increase of $ 18,000,000 to fight for the tax. Most notably, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave a half million dollars in campaign.
Armstrong, the cycling great a survivor of testicular cancer, also strongly supported the tax.
Smoking rate in California is 12.1 percent.
