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TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Program Goals & Components
• Program Results
• Cigarette Consumption
• Adult Tobacco Use
• Youth Tobacco Use
• Secondhand Smoke
• Investing in the Future
• Data Sources
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2001-2003 Program Report
Make Oregon Healthier: Saving Lives and Saving Dollars
The Future - and investing wisely for it
Oregon's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program is successfully saving lives and saving dollars. The Program is cost-effective and a good investment in Oregon's future. For each year Oregon maintains the reductions already achieved, $540 million is saved in Oregon's future.
Despite the measured successes of Oregon's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, there are continuing challenges ahead in the next biennium.
Tobacco use remains a significant problem in Oregon. In 2000, tobacco use was associated with more than 6,000 deaths and $1.8 billion in economic costs - including direct medical costs and lost productivity due to tobacco-related illnesses and premature death.
Since the latter part of 2001, there has been a flattening of the downward trend in tobacco use, both in Oregon and the nation. This may be a result of increased anxiety around Sept. 11, 2001 and the uncertain economic conditions. In the latter part of 2002, there have been early indications of continued declines in tobacco use in Oregon.
Not funded by MSA revenue. In 1998, Attorneys General from 46 states signed the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) with tobacco companies that resulted in annual payments to states. Oregon's share of the MSA is about $150 million per biennium. None of these dollars is dedicated to tobacco prevention activities in Oregon.
The Oregon program has been funded from Measure 44 tobacco taxes: $18 million in the current biennium. Measure 20, the tobacco tax enacted in November 2002, dedicated a onetime amount of $2 million to tobacco prevention for 2002-2003. In future biennia, the net effect of Measure 20 will be to make no change in the level of tobacco prevention funding prior to Measure 20.
Because of decreased tobacco use, program funding is projected to decrease 18% next biennium.
The Program's success in reducing tobacco use results in a decrease in tobacco tax revenues available for tobacco prevention.
Because of reduced revenue, Program funding from tobacco taxes is projected to decline about 18% in the next biennium. Experience from other states has shown that decreases in tobacco prevention funding lead to more tobacco use. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a minimum biennial budget for tobacco prevention in Oregon that is more than twice the current budget.
The Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Program plays an important role in maintaining and improving the health of all Oregonians and the state's economic productivity. Oregon voters in 1996 and subsequent Legislative Assemblies have recognized the importance of supporting this program. Adequate funding in the future is critical for the Program to continue its current success.
Experience from other states has shown that decreases in tobacco prevention funding lead to more tobacco use.
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