What: Oregon Governor Kate Brown, with support from Oregon Health Authority (OHA), will announce the state's tobacco prevention priorities moving beyond 2017. More than 20 years have passed since Oregonians voted to pass Measure 44, a ballot measure that increased the price of tobacco and dedicated a portion of tobacco tax sales revenue to the prevention movement. These public health initiatives, backed by Oregon voters, aim to keep kids and young people from starting to use tobacco and to helping tobacco users quit. Since 1997, per capita cigarette pack sales have declined by more than 55 percent. The event will celebrate the successes of Oregon's tobacco prevention efforts over the past two decades.
When: Thursday, May 18, 9:45-10:15 a.m.
Where: Oregon State Capitol Ceremonial Room, 900 Court St. NE, Salem
Speakers:
-- Governor Kate Brown
-- Lynne Saxton, Oregon Health Authority Director
-- Rebels for a Cause, a student-led group from Washington County committed to youth tobacco use prevention
-- Christopher Friend, American Cancer Society Oregon government relations director
Why: Tobacco remains the No. 1 preventable cause of death and disease in Oregon and is responsible for more than 7,000 deaths each year. There's still work to be done. Governor Brown and OHA will unveil their tobacco prevention priorities moving beyond 2017.
May 17, 2017
