Oregon Highlights

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Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States and in Oregon. To address this enormous toll, the American Lung Association calls for the following actions to be taken by Oregon’s elected officials:

  1. Restrict the sale of all flavored tobacco products; and
  2. Defend Oregon’s Clean Indoor Air Act.
Legislation to end the sale of flavored tobacco products was introduced in the 2023 legislative session and fell victim to a lawmaker walk-out which curtailed much of the state’s business. No legislation was introduced during Oregon’s short 2024 legislative session. Funding for the state tobacco control program was set for two years in 2023, and is approximately $28.8 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. This is among the top 10 states in terms of funding in comparison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended level.

The American Lung Association joined with other stakeholders in the Flavors Hook Oregon Kids campaign. Activities in the past year grew the statewide coalition to more than 60 organizations. Building on the momentum created when Multnomah and Washington counties passed ordinances ending the sale of flavored tobacco products in 2021 and 2022, the coalition has actively worked with other counties, cities and school districts across Oregon to urge the state legislature to take action.

There was also an important court decision in the Oregon Court of Appeals in May 2024 upholding Washington County’s ability to pass its flavored tobacco ordinance. The decision has been appealed to the Oregon Supreme Court and a decision on whether that court will hear or dismiss the case is pending. The Multnomah County flavored tobacco ordinance has also been challenged in court and has been put on hold by the Oregon Court of Appeals pending a ruling in the case.

Polling released in October 2024 found Oregon voters overwhelmingly support ending the sale of flavored tobacco products that are appealing to youth. Sixty-one percent of those polled supported statewide action on this issue. Flavored products include fruit and candy-flavored e-cigarettes, menthol flavored cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products.

Efforts continue to grow the Flavors Hook Kids coalition and work with constituents around the state to grow support for policies to reduce tobacco use. This work will continue during the 2025 legislative session.

Oregon Facts
Healthcare Costs Due to Smoking: $1,547,762,592
Adult Smoking Rate: 10.60%
Adult Tobacco Use Rate: 18.80%
High School Smoking Rate: 3.20%
High School Tobacco Use Rate: 12.8%
Middle School Smoking Rate: 1.30%
Smoking Attributable Deaths per Year: 5,470
Adult smoking and tobacco use data come from CDC’s 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; adult tobacco use includes cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes. High school (11th grade only) smoking and tobacco use, and middle school (8th grade only) smoking rates are taken from the 2022 Oregon Student Health Survey. High school tobacco use includes cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and electronic vapor products, as well as hookah, making it incomparable to other states.

Health impact information is taken from the Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity and Economic Costs (SAMMEC) software. Smoking-attributable deaths reflect average annual estimates for the period 2005-2009 and are calculated for persons aged 35 years and older. Smoking-attributable healthcare expenditures are based on 2004 smoking-attributable fractions and 2009 personal healthcare expenditure data. Deaths and expenditures should not be compared by state.

Oregon Information

Learn more about your state specific legislation regarding efforts towards effective Tobacco Control.

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