Anti-smoking efforts get a mediocre rating (OR 1-6-05)

Publication Date: 2005-01-20

• Author:Don Colburn
• Publication:The Oregonian

Oregon gets mediocre to failing grades from anti-tobacco advocates on its effort to control smoking.

The latest marks come in the annual report card from the American Lung Association. The group rates each state on four measures: money spent, smoke-free air laws, cigarette taxes and restrictions on youth access to tobacco.

Oregon, which was given grades ranging from C to F, got marked down for several reasons.

Oregon last year became the first state in a decade to reduce its tax on cigarettes. Its statewide ban on indoor smoking in public buildings exempts bars, bingo parlors and bowling alleys, and towns and counties are pre-empted from subsequently enacting stricter laws.