📢 Oregon cuts smoking rates but gaps and adult vaping remain
Oregon's smoking rates dropped sharply from 2015 to 2024, but disparities persist and adult vaping remains a concern.Summary
A new Oregon Health Authority report shows significant declines in tobacco use across Oregon between 2015 and 2024. Youth cigarette smoking fell to 1% among 8th graders and 2.8% among 11th graders, down from 4.3% and 8.8% in 2015. Adult smoking dropped from 17.1% in 2016 to 11% in 2024, surpassing the state's goal of 13.3%, while cigarette sales fell from 38.3 packs per person in 2016 to 21 packs in 2024. Youth e-cigarette use also declined, but adult vaping increased through 2023 before a slight dip in 2024. Despite overall progress, higher tobacco use persists among American Indian/Alaska Native youth, some gender-non-conforming youth, and adults who are Black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, bisexual, have lower income or education, or are unemployed or unable to work. The report recommends continued investment in prevention and quitting support, especially for these communities. The full evaluation, “Evaluating the Impact of Statewide Policies on Tobacco Use and Sales,” is available from OHA.
(Source：Newsbreak)
