Multiple measures pass, leads react

Oregon's first vaping tax will help thousands, measure supporters say

Oregon voters passed all four statewide measures last night .... including measure 108.

That will add 2 dollars to the price of a pack of cigarettes.

Kezi nine news reporter emma jerome is live in the newsroom with reaction from campaign leaders.

Renee - this measure passed with ease last night the total today a whopping 67 percent of people in favor of the additional tax with 33 opposed and today - while the campaign is celebrating their victory... they say they have their focus set on january 1st when this measure kicks in.

This measure garnered support from over 275 small businesses chambers of commerce, nurses, health providers nicotine vapes currently aren't taxed one penny in oregon , and elisabeth shepard -- the campaign manager for vote yes 108 says it's costing the state greatly.

"currently oregon spends 1.5 billion dollars per year due to tobacco related illness and this measure will actually drive meaningful cost savings for the state and for oregonians all around " the american cancer society conducted a study on oregon which concluded this measure will save nearly 12 thousand lives from adults quitting and preventing kids from starting they additionally think that since cost is the ultimate detterent -- this measure will stop prevents 19 thousand kids from ever picking up a cigarette oregon also passed the historic measure 109 which legalized psilocybin therapy -- making it the first state in the country to do so this time with a closer margin than 108 but a win nonetheless 56 percent of voters giving it a yes ... 44 percent voting against the therapy this was a controversial measure -- with opposition saying they fear people could abuse these "magic mushrooms" as they're commonly reffered to but those on the campaign were certain that will not happen saying that beginning in 2021 there is still a 2 year advisory period that needs to happen before licensing and access are even a consideration sam chapman - campaign manager saying all eyes will be on oregon - and they have to keep their eye on the ball "we don't necessarily think that psilocybin therapy is for everyone but we do know especially now that so many people are suffering from depression anxiety or other mental health conditions that the current options have fallen short for them and they want new options" there are three main steps to this therapy health and risk assessment screening?make sure people her it will hurt don't take it psilocybin therapy session at a licsenced care facility integration?after its experiences?few days after they talk about how it worked for them chapman says this was a measure always rooted in science and education they know the road ahead is a long one, but he said their number one focus is the here and now -- making sure people get the access they deserve reporting live in the newsroom