SALEM, Oregon —— Jane Leo has been named the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Government Relations Director for Oregon. She will lead ACS CAN’s efforts to advance legislation and public policies to reduce the cancer burden, specifically ending the sale of flavored and menthol tobacco in her home state.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to fight for every Oregonian impacted by cancer,” Leo said. “Tobacco use has cost Oregon too many lives and too much money; stopping the next generation from ever starting is one of the most important things we can do to stop cancer in its tracks.”
Leo brings extensive experience at the local, state, and federal levels and has spent more than 20 years as the Director of Advocacy and Chief Lobbyist for the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors, making her well-acquainted with the Oregon statehouse. Leo earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Oregon.
Leo will join cancer patients, survivors, advocates and youth from across the state in Salem on April 1 to call on the lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 702, which would eliminate the sale of flavored and menthol tobacco in Oregon.
“We have to take common-sense action to curb youth tobacco use,” Leo said. “Evidence is clear that the vast majority of kids who use tobacco start with flavored products. This legislation fell short of the finish line in 2023 and left too many kids open to the big marketing budgets of corporate tobacco. SB 702 needs to get done this session.”
ACS CAN is the nation’s leading cancer advocacy organization. To contact Leo or get involved in ACS CAN’s legislative agenda in Oregon, visit https://www.fightcancer.org/states/oregon.