Grassroots Network

There remains much to accomplish before Oregon’s kids stop smoking, smokers have the help they need to quit and everyone is protected from secondhand smoke. Getting to this point will require the involvement of a grassroots network in Oregon advocating alongside national, state and local organizations; so that policymakers who otherwise do not support tobacco-control policies will learn first-hand that they stand against the public tide and will be held accountable for it.

We know how to end the tobacco-use epidemic but continued progress could be at risk unless Oregon significantly increases funding for programs to prevent kids from smoking and to help smokers quit. Oregon’s current economic health and lack of political will makes this unlikely. Further, even with broad public awareness of the harm of tobacco use, the tobacco-control movement has not been able to motivate and mobilize citizens into advocating for the laws, programs and policies that can grind out tobacco use.

To address this problem in Oregon, TOFCO plans to launch a program to organize a grassroots network of individuals in Oregon to take up this cause, spread the word and rally support for tougher tobacco-control policies.

This means meeting with the neighbors, community groups and young people who are most affected by tobacco addiction. It means showing them the true toll that tobacco is taking on their lives. And finally, it means turning resignation into resolution to take the simple steps that we know can win this battle, engaging them in this effort will benefit not only their communities but all Oregonians.

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