tobacco

Tobacco Reduction Committee Passes Slender Budget, Expands Duties

Oregon’s Tobacco Reduction Advisory Committee approved a $19.7 million 2015-2017 budget, a little less than the $19.8 million in its 2013-2015 budget.

Oct 12, 2015

Fighting Tobacco use in Oregon Uphill Battle

CCOs will be held accountable starting next year for reducing tobacco use.

Sep 2, 2015

Oregon Putting All Its Declining Tobacco Settlement Funds into Health Expenses

The state is still putting less than 10 percent of the money toward tobacco prevention that it receives from Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds after they agreed to settle a 1998 lawsuit to avoid a court ruling. The state received just $158 million from the tobacco companies, down almost 25 percent from a $208 million payout in 2011.

Jul 3, 2015

Senate Votes to Stop Using Tobacco Prevention Dollars to License Smoke Shops

It seems absurd on the surface. When the state passed its Clean Indoor Air Act in 2007, it gave an exception to cigar bars and other smoke shops that focus on tobacco to continue to light up in their businesses, so long as they were certified to sell primarily tobacco products and built a closed ventilation system to protect other businesses from hazardous secondhand smoke.

Jun 30, 2015

Tobacco Control Bills Are Dead, Clearing Way for County Tobacco Licensing

A frustrated Sen. Mark Hass spiked two tobacco bills that had dominated his work in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee after none of the stakeholders would reach a reasonable compromise. Now Multnomah County will likely move ahead with its own licensure program, with Benton and Lane counties possibly to follow.

Jun 19, 2015
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Hass Works On Tobacco License Deal as Senate Bans E-Cigs for Minors

The e-cigarette legislation puts the devices in the Clean Indoor Air Act, without anything but a temporary exception for testing the products in vape stores. That conflicts with a bargain being worked out between Sen. Hass and Sen. Boquist to license and regulate retail tobacco and e-cigarettes through the Department of Revenue.

May 13, 2015
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Courtney Leads Legislators in Tobacco Campaign Cash

Despite a voting record that has not been friendly to tobacco companies, Senate President Peter Courtney once again raised a sizable pot of cash from the parent company of Philip Morris. His support will be critical to a series of bills designed to reduce smoking and better regulate the sale of cigarettes. This story is part two in a three-part series on healthcare-related Oregon state campaign finance contributions.

Feb 1, 2015
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Big Tobacco Investment in Oregon Legislators Pays off in 2014 Session

America’s largest tobacco company made a big investment in Oregon legislators before the 2013 session and walked away with a legislative victory when a bill died on the Senate floor that would have sent unclaimed money from class-action lawsuits into an account for legal services for the poor.

Mar 14, 2014

Monsanto, Tobacco Companies Big Winners in Special Legislative Session

OPINION – October 14, 2013 -- The state legislature’s special session is over, and the “Grand Bargain” has been struck. In terms of personal interest in the embattled package, I had more than a dog in this fight. I had an entire kennel.

Oct 14, 2013

For the Convenience of the Tobacco Companies

It’s time the Obama Administration stood up to the promotion of cigarettes and stop caving into the industry.

Sep 4, 2013