Tobacco or Kids: Easy Call

On April 22nd, Democrats in the Oregon House voted for healthier children and a tobacco-free future. House Bill 2672 prohibits tobacco companies from using cartoon characters and billboards to market smokeless tobacco, and prevents distributors from handing out free samples. Rep. Sara Gelser, one of the bill’s sponsers, stated “This bill will stop kids from taking up another dangerous habit that today falls outside the tobacco master settlement agreement regulating advertising aimed at teens.”

The bill also increases the tax on cans of smokeless tobacco that weigh 1.2 ounces to a flat $2.14. This needed revenue is estimated to bring in approximately an extra $5 million starting this year, money that will be matched by the federal government. It has now been sent to the Senate for consideration.

In a clear detraction from the values of his district, conservative Republican Scott Bruun voted against the bill. Bruun was joined by fellow GOPers Kevin Cameron, Sal Esquivel, Tim Freeman, Bill Garrard, Vic Gilliam, George Gilman, John Huffman, Wayne Kreiger, Ron Maurer, Andy Olson, Dennis Richardson, Sherrie Sprenger, Kim Thatcher, Jim Thompson, Gene Whisnant, Matt Wingard and Republican Leader Bruce Hanna.