HOPE 2010 Cancer Research Cigarette Excise Tax:

(a) In addition to any other tax imposed under this part, a separate excise tax is hereby imposed upon every distributor of cigarettes upon the distribution of cigarettes at the rate of fifty mills ($0.050) for each cigarette distributed on and after the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 90 days after the effective date of this section.

(b) (1) In addition to any other tax imposed under this part, every dealer and wholesaler, for the privilege of holding or storing cigarettes for sale, use, or consumption, shall pay a floor stock tax for each cigarette in his or her possession or under his or her control in this state at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 90 days after the effective date of this section at the rate of fifty mills ~ ($0.050) for each cigarette.

(2) Every dealer and wholesaler shall file a return with the State Board of Equalization on or before the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 180 days after the effective date of this section on a form prescribed by the board, showing the number of cigarettes in his or her possession or under his or her control at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than 90 days after the effective date of this section. The amount of tax shall be computed and shown on the return.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the tax created by the HOPE: 2010 Cancer Research Act and the revenue derived there from, including investment interest, shall be considered trust funds, to be expended solely for the purposes set forth in this Act and shall not be considered to be part of the General Fund, as that term used in Chapter 1, Part 2, Division 4 of the Government Code, commencing with Section 16300, and shall not be considered General Fund revenue for purposes of Section 8 of Article XVI of the California Constitution, and its implementing statues.