In the gubernatorial elections in California on 7 November 2006, voters will decide whether to bump the price of smokes by US$ 2.60 a pack.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, a pack of cigarettes there would cost more than US$ 6.50 if voters pass a tobacco tax on the upcoming November ballot – funds that ultimately would fund hospital emergency care and health insurance for children.
 California's excise tax on cigarettes ranks 23rd in the US, but if the tax is approved, the Golden State would vault to number one.
Supporters estimate the law would generate US$ 2.1 billion for a variety of health and anti-smoking programmes, including emergency hospital care, children's health insurance, cancer, heart, asthma and other disease prevention programmes, as well as tobacco prevention and education. (pi)