Oregon backs surgeon general on e-cigarette ‘epidemic’

The U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on e-cigarettes Tuesday, declaring their use an “epidemic” among youth and urging all to take action now to protect the health of our nation’s young people.The Oregon Public Health Division said it “is pleased to support the Surgeon General and continue our initiatives to reduce the health and financial toll of tobacco in Oregon.”

Tobacco use is still the No. 1 leading cause of death and disease in Oregon, the agency said. Youth use of e-cigarette products nearly tripled in Oregon from 5 percent in 2013 to 13 percent in 2017.

“These products are sweet, cheap and easy to get and they introduce a new generation of youth to nicotine addiction,” health officials said in a news release.

Oregon’s Tobacco Prevention and Education Program supports every county in Oregon, where communities are working on retail policies that decrease youth initiation to tobacco and support individuals who are attempting to quit.

Visit http://www.smokefreeoregon.com/ to learn more about what the state is doing, what your county is working on and how you can stand up to the tobacco industry in your community.