It could be days before the race’s final outcome can be determined, the wire service suggested.
The current cigarette tax in the state is 87 cents, below the national average of $1.46, according to ABC. The proposed $1-per-pack tax would raise $735 million per year if implemented, but California has not raised taxes since 2000.
A crucial aspect of the vote’s tight showing is the millions of dollars that the tobacco industry poured into the race. Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds have spent close to $46 million in ads opposing the hike, reports the news network.
On the other hand, the AP reported that a coalition of anti-smoking groups raised about $18 million to advocate on behalf of the tax. Most prominently, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave half a million dollars to the campaign.
Armstrong, the cycling great who is a survivor of testicular cancer, also strongly backed the tax.
California’s smoking rate stands at 12.1 percent.
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