Late August, the Vaping Public Health Work Group issued their recommendations to protect Oregonians, particularly Oregon’s youth from the ongoing public health crisis and youth vaping epidemic, and the harms associated with vaping products generally. 

Recent statistics point to a climb in youth use of e-cigarette products. According to the Oregon Health Authority, between 2017 and 2019, e-cigarette use by 11th graders in Oregon jumped from 13 percent to 23 percent, a nearly 80 percent increase. 

The work group’s membership includes doctors and experts in pulmonology, pediatrics, and public health, as well as state legislators and state agency representatives. Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Legal Counsel, Rob Bovett serves on the work group. The work group convened over the last eight month to discuss the health risks of vaping and public policy recommendations for long-term solutions.

The recommendations of the Vaping Public Health Work Group broadly include:

  • Banning the use of flavored e-cigarettes and other flavored vaping tobacco products;
  • Banning harmful additives, requiring ingredient disclosure for cannabis vaping products, and establishing standards for documentation and verification;
  • Increasing the price of tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, through tax and non-tax approaches;
  • Banning online and phone sales of e-cigarettes and other vaping products;
  • Tobacco retail licensing;
  • Cannabidiol (CBD) device regulations;
  • Audit testing of cannabis products;
  • Cessation supports; and
  • Creating a public relations campaign

Click here to view the full report from the Vaping Public Health Work Group.

Click here membership of the Vaping Public Health Work Group.

Click here to view the governor’s comments on the work group’s recommendations.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate