Tobacco Prevention and Education

Lane County Public Health works to prevent and reduce tobacco use in our community. This work is funded by state tobacco taxes from Measures 44 and 108. The Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) works with our community partners to end the nicotine epidemic.

Creating more smoke and vape-free environments and promoting policies that reduce smoking and vaping will help build a healthier and safer Lane County.

Lane County – A Leader in Prevention

We listen to the unique needs of the people we serve and apply proven methods to reduce tobacco use. Lane County is a leader in tobacco prevention work here in Oregon. We work with local leadership, community partners and individuals to:

  • Prevent youth from starting to use tobacco
  • Identify and eliminate tobacco-related disparities in all populations
  • Increase the number of smoke and tobacco-free environments
  • Increase the price of tobacco
  • Reduce the tobacco industry influence in retail stores
  • Provide support to those addicted to nicotine/tobacco who want to quit

Lane County TPEP has been an early leader in creating smoke-free parks and public spaces. We also worked to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21.

The tobacco industry has long targeted children, people with behavioral health conditions, people with lower incomes and people of color. Targeted ads, packaging and incentive programs are designed by tobacco and vape companies to cause nicotine addiction in our most disenfranchised communities. We see this injustice reflected in the health of our community as shown by higher rates of tobacco use and tobacco-related health problems. To advance health equity, we need to continue to reduce the impact of big tobacco in Lane County.

Burden of Tobacco in Lane County

  • Tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death. In 2019 alone, we lost 735 lives in Lane County to tobacco-related illnesses.
  • Vaping among teens has skyrocketed in recent years. Over 27% of Lane County teens reported vaping recently.

Business Resources

Tobacco Retail Licensure and Compliance

If you sell tobacco or inhalant delivery system (IDS) products directly to consumers, you are required to get a tobacco retail license starting January 1, 2022  . This includes retail stores, cigar and hookah lounges, bars or any other type of business that sells these products. For information on how to apply for a license, visit: go.usa.gov/xe999.

If you are a retailer who needs help complying with tobacco sales laws, contact:
Tobacco.Inspections@state.or.us