An initiative on California’s state ballot to increase California’s cigarette tax would create 12,000 jobs and nearly $US2 billion in economic activity.

Under the proposed legislation of the California Cancer Research Act, 60% of new funds generated by the tax would go to cancer research and tobacco-related diseases; 20% would be devoted tobacco cessation and prevention programs; 15% would go towards facilities for health research; and the remainder would fund law enforcement to reduce cigarette smuggling and tobacco tax evasion.

Voters will consider the proposal on June 5.