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# Letters to the editor
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/letters-to-the-editor-20061103/
- Published: 2006-11-03T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T22:01:47.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*LETTERS TO THE EDITOR*

*By Deena Lahn Policy Director, Children’s Defense Fund*

Proposition 86 will prevent 700,000 children in California from becoming smokers.It is no surprise that the tobacco industry is spending over $70 million to defeat it.Research shows that higher cigarette taxes are one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking among both youth and adults.

While reducing smoking is reason enough to support the tobacco tax, Proposition 86 will also LETTERS, from page 4 allow voters to direct money towards a critical need: Making sure that all children in California have access to affordable health insurance.

The tobacco industry is spending tens of millions to get voters to focus on side issues. Voters can look beyond expensive tobacco industry ads and vote on children’s behalf in favor of Proposition 86.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 3, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/110306.pdf?ref=smdp.com)