Salem, Ore.– August 8, 2017—Today, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law legislation to raise the age of sale for all tobacco products in Oregon to 21, making Oregon the fifth state to increase the sales age for tobacco.
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) Oregon Government Relations Director Christopher Friend released the following statement:
“ACS CAN thanks Governor Kate Brown for signing Senate Bill 754 into law today to help save lives from tobacco and protect kids from a potential lifetime addiction. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and is responsible for roughly 28 percent of cancer deaths in our state. This year alone, 5,500 Oregonians will die from smoking while another 1,800 Oregon kids will become new daily smokers.
“We know that 95 percent of all adult smokers begin smoking before they turn 21, and we also know that if we can prevent high schoolers from picking up tobacco products during these vulnerable teen years that most of them won’t start using it later in life.
“Raising Oregon’s tobacco sales age to 21 promises to be a critical component in a comprehensive strategy to keep tobacco out of the hands of Oregon’s kids and stop the cycle of addiction.”
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