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December 16, 2003 Contact: Bonnie Widerburg, (503) 731-4180 Oregon welcomes return of tobacco prevention program Successful toll-free Quit Line resumes after an eight-month hiatus
Student tobacco activists, health advocates and community leaders celebrated the return of Oregon’s Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, which is credited with saving lives and money. Today, members of the Tigard High School chapter of Oregon Student Safety On the Move, known as O.S.S.O.M., joined representatives of the Oregon Department of Human Services and community organizations to announce the program’s reinstatement. This reinstatement includes the return of the toll-free Oregon Tobacco Quit Line. State budget woes caused the Legislature last April to shift voter-approved cigarette tax revenues to the state’s general fund. Partial funding of $5.8 million was recently reinstated. "It’s good news for everyone that tobacco prevention and education efforts are back," said Mel Kohn, M.D., state epidemiologist in the Oregon Department of Human Services. "Tobacco use costs Oregon more than $1.8 billion per year due to premature death, illness and medical costs. Eighteen Oregonians die every day from tobacco-related illnesses. This program reduces these high personal and financial costs." Tigard High School senior Banu Hourmanesh agreed, "I went to Salem last spring to talk to legislators and tell them this program really helped me and my friends to not start smoking." The tobacco prevention and education program has generated considerable success since its inception in 1996: 75,000 fewer adult smokers, 25,000 fewer youth smokers, 1.5 billion fewer cigarettes sold annually and 60,000 fewer adults using smokeless tobacco. Part of the reason for this success is the program’s toll-free quit line. Callers first began dialing up tobacco cessation specialists in 1998. Since then, more than 60,000 Oregonians have called seeking help in trying to stop smoking or chewing tobacco. "Six month follow-up surveys show that more than 20 percent of callers reported being tobacco free," said Kohn. "This success rate is more than double that of people who try to quit on their own." Other components of the overall program such as community, tribal, multi-cultural and school-based efforts are scheduled to begin during early 2004. "While the program is reduced we have kept it comprehensive because this wholeness and coordination have proven to generate considerable success," said Kohn. "We know this is what helps the program save lives and money." The Oregon Tobacco Quit Line toll-free number is 1-877-270 STOP (7867) or Spanish 1-877-2 NO FUME (66-3863). |
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