Oregon Public Broadcasting

Recent attempts in Oregon to raise the tax on cigarettes have fallen flat both in Salem and on the ballot. Now lawmakers are trying a different strategy.

The House Tuesday approved a measure that would allow local governments to impose cigarette taxes, something that’s currently prohibited by Oregon law.

Opponents of the bill warned that cigarette taxes are an unreliable source of revenue.  But Democratic Representative Sara Gelser said that’s partly the point.

Sara Gelser: “One of the best ways to help people quit smoking is to make tobacco more expensive.  And I would argue that if the revenue source for tobacco dries up, that on a whole is a good thing for Oregon.”

The measure now heads to the Senate.  

That chamber gave final approval earlier this week to a separate measure that raises the tax on snuff, or dipping tobacco.  The move is expected to bring in more than $5 million over the next two years.  

That bill is on its way to the Governor’s desk.