Tobacco.org

Cigarette tax hike measure dropped 

A proposed initiative to raise the state cigarette tax to pay for Oregon children's' health insurance is in the ashtray, but other health-related initiatives still could get on the November ballot.

Backers of a 60-cent-a-pack increase in state cigarette taxes, to $1.78 per pack, said they realized they could not get the required 75,360 valid petition signatures by the July 7 deadline. A similar measure died in the last Legislature, as did a proposal to expand the Oregon Prescription Drug Program and some other health measures. . . .

The three proposals have had little open opposition so far although opponents typically save their energies for when the measures get on the ballot. The tobacco industry worked hard against the proposed tax increase, objecting to the ballot wording thus limiting the time backers had to gather signatures.

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