Voters in the Golden State will decide in two weeks whether to jack up cigarette taxes by $1 per pack to – wait for it – fund research into cancer-related diseases.

Via Politico’s Morning Score:

CALIFORNIA INITIATIVE – $8.6 MILLION SPENT TO OPPOSE CIGARETTE TAX: Two weeks before Californians vote on Proposition 29, Kantar Media’s Campaign Media Analysis Group reports that supporters of the measure have spent nearly $2 million on broadcast TV advertising while opponents have put $8.6 million behind broadcast TV ads. The proposition would increase the per-pack tax on cigarettes by $1 to fund research for cancer and tobacco-related diseases. Ads in favor have featured Lance Armstrong and representatives of medical associations. Ads against have emphasized claims that it would create new bureaucracy and the revenue would not remain in-state.  Lance Armstrong ad: http://bit.ly/JmGvLK. Industry-backed ad: http://bit.ly/JGx0Yy.

The pro ad:

The con ads are here.

Not hard to predict which side will win this battle.