photo: MrGluSniffer/ BY

On California Money, a new poll finds that 73% of likely voters would support a tobacco increase to address the state's budget crisis. The polling found that support was strong across party lines. However, Gov. Schwarzenegger has vowed to veto any piece of legislation that includes a tax increase. Democrats in the state legislature also don't seem that interested in this particular tax. They've recently dropped their push for a tobacco tax increase.

At YMI, Jennifer Obakhume discusses her own first smoke and the recent bill Obama signed into law. The bill cracks down on the marketing of cigarettes to youth. As he signed the measure into law in a Rose Garden, Obama said it would help stem the “constant and insidious barrage of advertising” that each year draws millions of teenagers into a lifelong struggle to quit. “I know,” Obama said. “I was one of those teenagers. I know how difficult it is.”

As Obama calls for limiting youth marketing of cigarettes, the military is raising questions about its own smoking culture. Pentagon health experts are urging Defense Sec. Robert Gates to call for a ban on the use of tobacco products by troops and an end to its sale on military property. While many soldiers cite smoking as a stress reliever, proponents of the ban say that tobacco use is extremely costly for both the Pentagon and the Department of Veteran Affairs.