Beginning Jan. 1, it’s going to cost a little more to light up a cigarette.
Legislation enacted in the special legislative session this fall increases the state tax on a standard, 20-count pack of cigarettes by 13 cents, from $1.18 to $1.31, beginning the first of the year.
“Ordinarily, the consumer pays the tax as a part of the price when purchasing cigarettes from an Oregon retailer,” said Chris Wytoski, manager of Oregon’s tobacco tax program. “Consumers must remember that they are responsible for filing and paying the tax on cigarettes purchased online or otherwise brought in from outside the state.”
Oregon’s total tobacco tax revenue, from cigarettes and other tobacco products, is about $250 million per year. The revenue supports the Oregon Health Plan, the state General Fund, and the Tobacco Use Reduction Account. Portions of cigarette tax revenue are also specifically dedicated to cities, counties, and public transit and, with recent legislation, mental health programs.
