I think we have already squeezed as much out of tobacco taxes as we can, I don't really oppose more taxes, but just think it won't generate more money.

If you want a "sin" tax that will generate big bucks, try a "nickle a drink". A five cent per serving tax increase on beer and wine would raise some significant revenue.

As a drinkin' and smokin' poor democrat, I'm pretty sick of more taxes on things that i (and a good percentage of other poor people) like. I would much rather see a $.60/gallon tax on gasoline or a $.60/sq ft tax on red cherry hardwood floors or a $.60/oz tax on filet mignon or a $.60/quart tax on liposuction. Of course, I'm extremely biased on this subject. I like American Spirits and Full Sail Pale so much, you could say I'm addicted!

A young man I knew thought a restaurant tax incl. fast food was the best idea because "if you are so poor you can't pay a nickel or a dime on a fast food hamburger, you should be cooking at home anyway where the food would be cheaper and better for you". At the time he said this, he was managing a food court and didn't think people would object to another nickel or dime on their hotdogs. Something to think about --although the Oregon Restaurant Assoc. would have conniption fits, which they deserve after all they've gotten out of the House.

Every dollar recieved in taxes from this bill will also get $1.55 matching from the Federal Government.

"First they came for the smokers, and sent them outside...and then they came for the burned out lightbulbs, to be replaced by new ones...and then they came for the trash, and disposed of it...and then they came--uhhh...and since I was not a lightbulb...hmmmm...well, I forget how much more of it there is, but I'm pretty sure that at the end, there are totally some death camps. So, ummm, look out for those."

http://dceiver.blogspot.com/2005/06/more-smoking-ban-bitchery.html

Cigarette taxes are extremely regressive. But they allow the self-righteous to pretend their acts are noble, even though the services that they are paying for with them they are not paying themselves.

It's gone on way too long, too far in both states, Washington with one of the most regressive tax systems in the country and Oregon way closer than you think.

Contemptible.

I totaly agree with the comments of Steve Bucknam. Give cigarette tax a rest. The proposal for an increase in the tax on beer certainly died a hurried death because there are a lot more legislators that drink beer than smoke cigarettes. The reason that everybody jumps on taxing cigarettes is that smokers have proven to be an easy target. They are for the most part politically passive and they are a minority.

By the way whatever happened to the millions of dollars that the state recieves from the national tobacco company settlement that a number of States Attorneys General negotiated? Wasn't this money supposed to be used to help fund the state health and smoker cecession programs? Last I heard it was being "borrowed" to help balance the general fund budget deficet.

I am a smoker so my sense of smell isn't a good as it used but...what is that I smell?...Could it be a slight whiff of mendacity in the air?