Resources: Facts & Stats

Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in Oregon.

It is associated with a number of diseases including multiple cancers, strokes and diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Tobacco use accounts for over 6,900 Oregon deaths
CDC has estimated that smoking-caused healthcare costs and productivity losses in the Oregon are at least $11.16 per pack of cigarettes sold in the state. But that CDC estimate does not include all types of smoking-caused productivity losses, is in 2004 dollars, and is based on 2004 state cigarette pack sales data. A recent report by the American Lung Association provides a more comprehensive estimate – in 2009 dollars and using 2009 pack sales – finding that smoking-caused healthcare costs and productivity losses in the Oregon total at least $18.83 per pack.
Tobacco use costs the state of Oregon more than $2 billion a year.
16 percent of high school students continue to smoke
Declines in the state’s adult smoking rate have stalled.
Tobacco use disproportionately harms populations that are vulnerable and disenfranchised.
Oregon has cut funding for tobacco control programs from $9.1 million annually in FY 2009 to $7.7 million annually in FY 2010.

oregon cigarette consumption trends graph

Source: Oregon Public Health Division. Tobacco Prevention and Education Program Report 2007-2009: Oregonians share their stories. Oregon Department of Human Services, Public Health Division.

Oregon has achieved some success in its tobacco control efforts:

Smoking rates: Oregon ranks 11th lowest, with 16.3 percent of adults smoking.
Smoke-free air: Oregon receives high marks for its strong smoke-free workplace law; this protects nearly 100 percent of workers.
Helping smokers quit: Oregon smokers call the quit line at a higher-than-average rate with 6.4 percent of smokers seeking assistance. The state also receives kudos for comprehensive quit support provided through Medicaid.

But over the years Oregon has been unable to maintain that leadership role. Oregon ranks low in:

Tobacco sales restrictions: Oregon does not require establishments selling tobacco to be licensed, as is the practice in 37 other states.
Price of tobacco: Oregon’s tobacco tax of $1.18 per pack has not increased since 2002 and ranks 26th among the states. Oregon does not have a minimum price law. Raising the price of tobacco is one of the best ways to help smokers quit and keep youth from starting.
Funding for prevention: Oregon’s funding for tobacco control was just 11.1 percent of levels recommended by the CDC in 2007, making it 35th among the states.

National
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
CDC Office of Smoking and Health
U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Tobacco Products