State''s Cigarette Tax Will Go Up Jan. 1

Source from:  Salem (OR) Statesman-Journal 12/30/2013

The tax will go up from $1.18 to $1.31 on a standard pack of 20 cigarettes. It will be the first increase since 2004, when it dropped from $1.28 to $1.18 as the result of voter rejection of a ballot measure for a budget-balancing tax increase. It had been at $1.28 for a decade, but a 10-cent increment expired in 2004.

Proceeds from cigarette taxes go to the Oregon Health Plan, the state general fund and a special account for tobacco-use reduction. There are earmarked shares for cities, counties, special transportation for older people and people with disabilities, and now, mental health programs. Lawmakers added the latter category in its special session this year.

"Consumers must remember that they are responsible for filing and paying the tax on cigarettes purchased on-line or otherwise brought in from outside the state," said Chris Wytoski, manager of Oregon's tobacco tax program in the Department of Revenue.

Oregon's $1.31 makes it 28th among the states, according to a list compiled Dec. 3 by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Washington state is at $3.02, sixth highest; California at 87 cents, Nevada at 80 cents and Idaho at 57 cents.

There also is a $1.01 federal tax.