Oregon Measure 108, on the Nov. 3 ballot, would increase the tax on cigarettes by $2 per pack, up to $3.33 per pack. It also increases taxes on cigars, and establishes a new tax on e-cigarettes and vaping products that are essentially nicotine delivery systems. This tax revenue would fund health care and mental health care for low-income families, and public health programs aimed at preventing the use of tobacco and nicotine, and helping users quit.

If passed, it would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. This would bring in an estimated $160 million in new revenue for Oregon per year.

While we are in favor of this, there are a couple of things we don’t like about Measure 108.

We don’t like the enormous amounts of money that were poured into the “Yes for a Healthy Future” campaign. Many of Oregon’s large hospital systems gave $500,000 each, and one gave $3.29 million. Total campaign donations to pass this measure total over $12.5 million.

But our concern here is mostly about the need for campaign finance reform (which is addressed by Measure 107). Clearly these hospital and health care systems have a lot to gain if fewer people use tobacco and nicotine, and if more people have health insurance, so it makes sense that they would be willing to spend big money to pass this measure.

We also don’t like the fact that raising the per-pack tax to $3.33 would make Oregon’s cigarette prices considerably higher than in our three neighboring states. Those per-pack taxes are: Washington: $3.03, California: $2.87 and Idaho: $0.57.

Smokers and vapers who live near a state border might decide it’s worth the time and gas to drive across the state line to stock up. And when people cross a border to shop for one item, they are likely to buy other items as well on that trip. So much for shopping local.

There is also a concern that high cigarette taxes will create a black market, with product being smuggled in from states with lower taxes. This will be of particular concern to Malheur County, sharing a border with Idaho.

Right now, 31 states have higher cigarette taxes than Oregon. The passage of Measure 108 would mean only five states would have higher rates.

We do like making the users of addictive and unhealthy products (tobacco and nicotine in this case) pay for addiction treatment and health care costs that result from their use.

We also are in favor of anything that dissuades young people from smoking or vaping, and keeps them from getting addicted to nicotine.

We don’t buy the argument that taxes like this “punish Oregon’s most vulnerable.” Ultimately, when costs of cigarettes and other nicotine delivery products go up, smoking rates go down. And that protects the vulnerable.

We recommend a “yes” vote on Measure 108.