In part of the Grand Bargain, Oregon lawmakers approved a 13-cent per pack increase in the cigarette tax as a way to raise funding for schools.
Many major health organizations aren’t happy about the tax hike, including the American Heart and American Lung Associations and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. They are publicly expressing their disappointment. They say it’s not enough to make an impact on preventing kids from smoking, or to encourage smokers to quit.
The group Tobacco Free Kids says studies show every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces smoking by 7% among youths and 4% overall.
The new 13-cent per pack increase would bring total taxes on cigarettes in Oregon to $1.31 per pack. The national state average is $1.53 per pack.
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