NATIONAL NEWS - Tobacco Companies Spend $12 Million to Defeat Oregon Cigarette Tax Increase for Children's Health Care

November 7, 2007

Measure 50 in Oregon was defeated yesterday, which would have raised the state cigarette tax by 85 cents a pack to provide health care to nearly 100,000 uninsured children.  R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris outspent supporters of the measure by nearly 4-to-1.  The companies spent more than $24 per “no” vote to defeat the measure, which was a record for spending by tobacco companies in a state measure.  Oregon voters approved cigarette tax increases in both 1996 and 2002. "The tobacco industry basically bought an election. I don't think it's a reflection of what Oregonians think about health care and children," said Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

For more on this story from The Oregonian, click here.

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