Calif. voters split on tax targeted by Big Tobacco

A high-profile California cigarette tax(more articles) initiative backed by cycling legend Lance Armstrong that once seemed like a sure thing teetered on the brink of defeat Wednesday, a testament to the efficacy of a $50 million campaign backed by Big Tobacco. A blizzard of industry-financed radio and television advertisements over the last two months closed the gap on an effort to impose an additional $1-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund cancer research.

In March, a statewide poll suggested the Proposition 29 would pass with two-thirds approval. But the race was too close to call the morning after Election Day. With millions of votes still to be counted, it could be days or longer before a winner is declared.