Volunteers have collected more than a half million signatures to qualify the California Cancer Research Act for the ballot. The measure would fund cancer research by raising the tobacco tax by one dollar.

California has not raised the so-called “cigarette tax” for a decade. The coalition of health care officials and health organizations joined former State Senator Don Perata to announce they have enough signatures to put the initiative on the November 2012 ballot.

”This is a huge day,” said American Cancer Society’s C.E.O. David Veneziano. “This has been done strictly by people who are self-interested. Including, scientists, the medical community, the Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the Heart Association, and a lot of people, and a lot of people who just believe that this is something that California should do.”

He says the California Cancer Research Act will save lives.

”For every ten percent increase in the price of cigarettes, adult consumption will fall four percent, and youth consumption will fall seven percent,” said Veneziano.

Smokers will have to pay $1 more per pack.