Eugene, Ore. Proposes Increased Fees for Tobacco Retailers

The city of Eugene, Ore. has proposed a significant increase in the fees for tobacco retailers in the city of nearly 160,000 residents, something that will fund enforcement and employee training.

In a statement on the city’s website, it is said that the rates have not been increased since they were established in 2001, and as such “they have not kept pace with increases in the number of tobacco retailers or the cost of maintaining the program.”

Currently, first-time licenses cost $55 and would increase to $100, while renewals would increase from $35 to $75. Late fees for renewals will be $25.

The city goes onto say that “tobacco retail licensing is recognized nationally as a best practice in reducing youth access and use of tobacco, and ultimately in reducing tobacco related deaths as people who do not start using tobacco before the age of 19 are significantly less likely to become long-term users. Licensing helps ensure that retailers selling tobacco comply with all relevant laws or risk losing their license to sell these products.”

The proposed fee adjustments would go into effect later this year. The full proposal can be found here.

The city will be accepting public comments on the proposal until April 21.

Eugene is located approximately 111 miles south of Portland and is the second most populous city in the state. It is also well known for being home to the University of Oregon.