Union: Oregon should raise smoking age to 21

An Oregon union called on lawmakers Monday to follow California’s lead and raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, calling it “vital legislation that will protect kids and save thousands of lives.”

Here’s the rest of their news release:

“California legislators overcame heavy-handed lobbying and threats from the tobacco industry, passing Tobacco 21 legislation because they recognized their duty to protect kids and Save Lives. Don’t the children of Oregon deserve the same chance to grow up addiction-free?” said SEIU Local 503 Executive Director Heather Conroy.

Last week, the California State Assembly passed SB 7 X2 by State Senator Ed Hernandez that will raise the age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. Governor Jerry Brown is expected to sign the legislation when it reaches his desk. California will now join Hawaii as the second state to make this important change.

Studies show that 95 percent of adult tobacco users started before they were 21 years old. Of those kids who become regular smokers, 1 in 3 will die from tobacco-related diseases.

Even tobacco industry researchers acknowledge that addiction-prone adolescents are significantly more likely than their older counterparts to become lifelong smokers, the reason Big Tobacco vehemently fought the Tobacco 21 legislation in California.

“Saving lives by keeping tobacco out of teens’ hands is a legacy that Oregon leaders can embrace by fighting the number one cause of preventable death in our state,” Conroy said.