Which Way, L.A.?
Big Tobacco Aims to Kill Proposition 29
Prop 29 would raise taxes on cigarettes by $1 a pack, with money going to cancer research and anti-smoking campaigns. Why is at least one doctor seen in TV ads against it?
By Warren Olney • • 53m ListenProposition 29 on the June ballot would raise taxes on cigarettes by a dollar a pack. That alone would decrease smoking, and the money would go to cancer research and anti-smoking campaigns. When smoking's a leading cause of cancer and other deadly diseases, why is at least one doctor appearing in TV ads against it? With the cigarette industry outspending supporters 10 to one, what are its chances? Also, will the big push for electric vehicles lead to a backlash against plug-in cars? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, American banks are bigger than ever. Are they too big to fail?
Banner image by Tomasz Sienicki
In this episode
3 storiesCigarettes, Cancer and Ballot-Box Budgeting
Proposition 29 on the June 5 ballot would raise California's tax on cigarettes by a dollar a pack. The cigarette industry is prepared to outspend supporters by 10 to one. Since cigarettes are a leading cause of deadly diseases, the spokeswoman in one TV commercial against it might be a surprise: she's Dr.
Read the story16 minThe Oscars of the EV World
At the Los Angeles Convention Center this week, Southern California Edison is sponsoring the International Electric Vehicle Symposium . KCRW's Saul Gonzalez says it's a gathering of nearly every company that matters in the EV world.
Read the story10 minWill Dodd-Frank Protect US from Banks 'Too Big to Fail?'
Despite reassurances from the Obama Administration, many financial authorities say banks that are bigger than ever cannot be allowed to fail. Just five banks -- Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo and Bank of America -- now hold $8.5 trillion in assets.
Read the story1 min
