Can Raising Cigarette Taxes Save Babies?

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — When it costs more to light up, fewer babies die.

According to a new study paid for by the National Institutes of Health, higher cigarette taxes result in lower infant mortality rates, especially among African-Americans.

Researchers say a $1 increase would prevent 750 infant deaths nationwide per year.

Efforts are underway to raise cigarette taxes by $2 a pack here in California, and recent polls have found a majority of voters would approve.