April 5, 2000

Contact: Bonnie Widerburg, (971) 673-1282

OREGON CELEBRATES KICK BUTTS DAY WITH MARKED SUCCESS

Oregon youth smoking down, Clinton highlights decrease in youth tobacco use

(PORTLAND) April 5 is national Kick Butts Day. In Oregon, the State's tobacco prevention efforts seem to be helping kids do exactly that. During his weekly national radio address on March 27, 2000, President Clinton applauded the success of Oregon's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program. Clinton noted that eighth grade smoking is down nearly one-third and sixth and eleventh grade smoking is down as well. Efforts of the tough, effective Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education program, run by the Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Services, is saving the state $300 million and 1200 lives a year.

"Our program is working and the President did a good job focusing on what a state can accomplish with an aggressive tobacco prevention program," said Clay Parton, Oregon Tobacco Program Manager. "We are particularly happy that we can announce on Kick Butts Day, that Oregon youth are saying no to tobacco products."

The president's address focused on his strategy to fight tobacco use among young people and was in response to the Supreme Court ruling that the Food and Drug Administration must have explicit authorization from Congress before it can regulate tobacco. The President specifically praised Oregon's success in cutting youth tobacco use rates.

"We supported state and local efforts to stop underage smoking before it starts," Clinton said. "And we know these efforts work. Oregon cut eight-graders smoking rates by almost a third in just one year."

Oregon's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program is a comprehensive effort to reduce the use of tobacco and exposure to secondhand smoke. It includes programs in local communities, schools, businesses, media and special populations. The program is funded by a tobacco tax increase approved by voters in 1996. Ten percent of the new revenue is allocated to tobacco use prevention and reduction. The Oregon Quit Line, a toll-free telephone call, is a cessation counseling service available to Oregonians. To quit tobacco for good, call: 1-877-270-STOP (English), 1-877-2NO FUME (Spanish), or 1-877-777-6534 (TTY).