As of Friday morning, tobacco users in Douglas County and throughout Oregon will be feeling a different kind of burn.
During the November election, Oregon voters overwhelmingly passed Measure 108, which increased taxes on cigarettes, cigars and other electronic nicotine inhalants such as electronic cigarettes and vaping liquids.
The increase includes a $2 per pack increase on cigarettes and miniature cigars, raising the total tax on a 20-count pack to $3.33. Individual cigars will see an increase of 65% of the wholesale price of the cigar, not to exceed $1. Electronic cigarettes and vapes will also see a 65% increase in the wholesale price.
Smokeless tobacco and loose tobacco â such as rolling tobacco â are not impacted by the increase.